Dissertation (MA Development Studies)This study on the Influence of Risk Behavior in the Spread of HIV/AIDS amongst Zanzibar Youth: A Case Study of Urban District, Zanzibar uses experiences of youth, parents, ex- drug and drug users in obtaining a broad picture on the influence of drugs to risk behaviors among youth in the Urban district. The purpose was primarily to examine the influence of drug risk behaviors that contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS among the youth in the district. Thus the extent of drug use, the impact of drug trafficking and their contribution as a risk factor to spread of HIV and the initiatives being undertaken to reduce the problem were thoroughly examined and identified with the aim of seeking for lasting solution to the problem. To provide comprehensive results according to the nature of the study, a case study research design was used. Closed ended and open ended questionnaires, nonstructural observation, structured interviews and focus group discussion were used to collect data from 112 respondents in the Urban district of Zanzibar. The sample involved 52 community members where 21 were parents and 31 were youth. The remaining 60 sample was key respondents selected by combination of purposive and random sampling techniques. Data have been analyzed by descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages and means using Statistical Package for Social Studies (SPSS) and Microsoft Office Excel. The study concluded that there is an increase number of youths who use drugs due to amongst other things the increased availability of drugs in the Urban district of Zanzibar. Drug risk behavior and sexual risk behavior are most likely to occur to drug users due to dependence and addictive properties of the drugs, that make them able to do anything in order to avoid withdrawal syndrome (Arosto) of the drugs. Peer pressure influenced by lack of awareness by youth on the effects of drugs and family reasons are the major factors contributes to youth engage into uses of drugs. Many risk behaviors involved that direct contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS have been observed, and the majority of youth about 70% engage themselves in the use of drugs between the age group of 15 to 24 years, 25% between 10 to 14 years and 5% above age of 25 years. Male youth were more likely to engage in uses of drugs compared to females and females are more likely to engage in the sexual risk behaviors due to high rate of unemployment compared to males. The study provided sufficient evidence that community awareness, community collaboration with the police and strengthening of the existing laws will help control the supply and demand of drugs in the country. Awareness rising to youth, improved parent child communication as well as family support and efforts will prevent many youth to engage in the behavior and help out those who are already in and reduce the HIV prevalence among youth.