<![CDATA[This study aims to examine the relationship between adolescents' knowledge about HIV/AIDS and HIV/AIDS prevention behavior at SMA Swasta Katolik Santa Maria Medan. Adolescents remain a high-risk group for HIV/AIDS transmission due to limited reproductive-health knowledge and exposure to risky behaviors, while national data show that Medan City records the highest number of HIV cases in North Sumatra Province. This research employed a descriptive-correlational design with a cross-sectional approach. The population consisted of 294 students in grades X–XII, and 75 respondents were recruited using the Slovin formula with a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using a closed-ended questionnaire adapted from a previously validated instrument, then analyzed through univariate and bivariate analyses. The results showed that most respondents were female (54.7%) and aged 17 years (69.3%). The majority of respondents had a moderate level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS (58.6%) and moderate prevention behavior (66.6%). Bivariate analysis produced a correlation coefficient of 0.249 with a p-value of 0.045 (<0.05), indicating a statistically significant but weak positive relationship between adolescents' knowledge and HIV/AIDS prevention behavior. These findings imply that continuous and systematic health-education programs at school are needed to strengthen adolescents' knowledge and preventive behavior toward HIV/AIDS.]]>
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