A community based descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted to describe the healthseekingrnbehaviour for STDs and determine the factors associated with the health-seekingrnbehaviour of soldiers in Core One Hundred Eighth of the Ethiopian army. The study wasrnconducted in Tigray Regional State from December 2002 to February 2003. A samplernproportionate to population size was drawn from each units of the Core and subjects werernselected using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected from 384rnsubjects that reported having had one or more STD related genital symptoms during the onernyear recall period using a structured questionnaire. Among the sample, while awareness aboutrngonorrhoea, syphilis, chancroid, and lymphogranuloma venerum was found to be fairly high,rnknowledge about the other STDs was low. A substantial number of respondents were foundrnto have misconceptions and/or erroneous knowledge about the risk factors and preventivernmethods of STDs. Among study subjects, more urethral discharge, genital ulcer, genitalrnblister, and painful micturation were found to be associated with STDs than the other genitalrnsymptoms (OR = 9.87 (5.29 â€“ 19.27). Peers were found to be the most important sources ofrninformation for STD related genital symptoms. The rate of treatment-seeking was 72.1%.rnThought of having some kind of illness during having the symptom, severity of symptoms,rnperceived source of most effective treatment for the symptom and working assignment unitsrnwere found to be significantly associated with treatment receipt (P < 0.05). Geographicrnproximity to units, marital status, and age were found to be significant determinants of choicernof treatment sources (between those under Ministry of Defence and outside Ministry ofrnDefence) (P < 0.05). Geographic proximity to units, association of genital symptoms withrnSTDs, severity of symptoms, and working assignment units were found to be significantlyrnassociated with time of attendance to treatment sources (P < 0.05). In addition, attendance tornIXrntreatment sources at earlier symptomatic stages was found to correlate with longer militaryrnservice (P < 0.05). Health education interventions should be strengthened and expanded torninclude the second generation STDs. Health education interventions should emphasise thernrisk factors, and preventive methods of STDs, and on the creation of demand and positivernattitude towards modern services. The Ministry of Defence needs to look for a way to allowrnsoldiers with STD related genital symptoms to receive care at any of the Ministryâ€™s treatmentrncentres nearby their locations at times when they are away from their units. Studiesrnconcerning quality of treatment sources under Ministry of Defence should be carried-out tornimprove social accessibility of the treatment sources.