Proverbs are widely accepted as tools for teaching and communication for knowledge and wisdom and they are critical in molding behavior, attitudes, attributes and conduct. However, some proverbs on sexuality have been highly misunderstood and misapplied especially amongst students in institutions of higher learning thereby creating high sexual risk behavior while at the same time driving the spread of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, unwanted pregnancies and other sexually transmitted infections. The purpose of the study was to explore student’s perceptions on the influence of some Zambian proverbs on sexuality in the spreading of HIV/AIDS in institutions of higher learning. The significance of the study was to investigate the levels of vulnerability that was caused by the negative effects of some proverbs on student’s behavior. The study employed an ethnographic methodological design. Data was collected using semi structured questionnaires, observations and focused group discussions and both probabilistic and non-probabilistic techniques were used in sapling the respondents. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The study established that some Zambian proverbs on sexuality had negative influences amongst students and were identified as one of the main drivers leading to high risk sexual behavior’s amongst students in high institutions of learning. The results of the study further indicated that proverbs had great influence on the lives of many students on campus. It was therefore recommended that information was to be repackaged in order to mitigate the misconceptions surrounding the Zambian proverbs on sexuality. The study contributed to the body of knowledge and the fight against the HIV/AIDS in the institutions of learning as it highlighted the effects of some Zambian proverbs on sexuality on student’s sexual behavior and choices.

Keywords : Student’s Perceptions, HIV/AIDS Pandemic, Zambian Proverbs, Institutions of Higher Learning, Sexuality, Sexual Risky Behaviors, Transmission.