Information on the perception of youth about HIV/AIDS IEC messages and materialsrnis meager in Ethiopia. This cross sectional survey was conducted from Novemberrn2001 to April 2002 in randomly selected high school students in Addis Ababa,rnEthiopia. The objective was to assess the perceived sufficiency and usefulness ofrnHIV/AIDS IEC messages and materials as well as to identify their preferences. Datarnwere collected using a pre-tested anonymous self-administered questionnaire andrnfocus group discussion. A total of 901 high school students from 23 schoolsrnparticipated in the survey. Of these, 464(51.7%) were females. All the study subjectsrnhave heard of AIDS. The most common sources of information about HIV/AIDS werernradio 628(69.7%), television 516(57.3%), Anti AIDS Clubs 497(55.2%), familyrnmembers 481(53.45) health professionals 438(48.6%) religious leaders 405(45%)rnand friends 307(34%).rnIEC on HIV/AIDS was perceived useful in influencing knowledge, attitude andrnpractice by 761(85.4%), 704(78.1%) and 676(75%) students respectively and effortsrnwere perceived sufficient to affect knowledge by almost half of the respondentsrn456(50.6%). On the contrary, the majority of students perceive that IEC messagesrnand materials were not sufficient enough to trigger proper attitude 544(60.4%) andrnacquire/maintain safe practices 519(57.6%). On top of that, none of the informationrnsources were regarded as highly credible in the face of their audiences and, none ofrnthe messages delivered were rated as highly understandable, appropriate, timely,rn9rnpractically applicable, accessible and compatible with the needs and expectations ofrnyouth.rnAlthough, no information source was highly preferred, mass media, healthrnprofessionals, religious leaders, family and Anti AIDS Clubs were the top five sourcesrnchosen. Appropriate information and education about all aspects of HIV/AIDS and lifernskill training were the content liked better to be transmitted through drama, schoolrnlesson, and discussion. The preferred time to be taught by radio/TV is evening afterrn8.00 pm and Saturday and Sunday afternoon.rnIn conclusion, HIV/AIDS IEC messages and materials were only able to acquaintrnstudents with the disease rather than equipping them with the necessary domainsrnrelevant to their day-to-day life. Therefore, coordinated, purposeful, appropriate, andrnmutually reinforcing IEC messages with emphasis on life skill training arernrecommended.