The Human Immune Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) have been identified as a major threat to pastoral communities over East Africa. The regional governments have given little attention to this problem due to the perception that Pastoralisms is economically inefficient and environmentally destructive. The study was carried over Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda to assess the current state of HIV/AIDS prevalence amongst the pastoral communities using desktop review and expert judgment opinion. In Kenya, about 8million people of Kenyan population depend on pastoralism. In Tanzania the livestock sector contributes about 6.1% to the national Gross Domestic Products (GDP). In Uganda 17% of GDP is accounted for by the sector and about 9% of the national GDP in Ethiopia.
In the pastoral districts the average prevalence of HIV/AIDS amongst the community is estimated at 5.7% with this figure expected to increase. The infection rates are being accelerated by factors related to human rights and gender, socio-cultural environment and lack of HIV/AIDS awareness and stigmatization. The HIV/AIDS is not recognized at policy level as a major problem facing Pastoralisms yet the statistics show increasing population of HIV/AIDS victims.
The communities refuse to admit the presence and impact of HIV/AIDS within their families with high stigma attached to the affected and infected. The number of livestock has been diminishing through sales to pay the medical expenses when the pastoralists are affected. The study recommends for budgetary support and HIV/AIDS campaign amongst the pastoral districts to reduce the stigma and curb the decreasing number of livestock.
Key Words: HIV/AIDS, Pastoralisms, Pastoralists, GDP and Pastoral districts