A significant number of young Namibian individuals migrated from rural and peri-urban areas to the central Khomas region to pursue tertiary education, where the availability of antiretroviral treatment remained notably lower compared to other regions.

This research investigated the perceptions of HIV risk among first-year students registered at the School of Health and Applied Sciences (SHAS) at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), and its correlation with their behavioural patterns. A 30-question Likert-type questionnaire included 10 HIV/Aids-related questions aimed at assessing participants’ understanding of HIV/Aids, attitudes to the virus/disease and their perceived risk.

The primary findings revealed that the majority had a satisfactory level of basic knowledge of HIV/Aids. Students also demonstrated predominantly positive attitudes to and perceptions of various aspects related to HIV/Aids. The study recommended further research targeting similar student cohorts, coupled with enhanced education and information dissemination regarding communicable diseases and opportunistic infections. It advocated for additional studies to explore students’ mental wellbeing and the stigma surrounding HIV/Aids.