HIV/AIDS is primarily perceived as an urban problem. However, the number ofrnpeople living with HIV in rural areas is considerable. In rural Ethiopia the currentrnHIV prevalence is reckoned to be 3.7%. The available literature as wellrnsuggests that about a quarter of the farmersâ€™ report sexual relation withrncommercial sex workers in nearby small towns.rnThe present study had an objective of assessing risks contributing to thernspread, prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in Hamer Woreda, southernrnEthiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a pre-tested interviewerrnadministered questionnaire with supplemental FGD and IDI.rnAbout 40% of adults in Hamer were found to spend nights in other locationsrnoutside home within the last one month, the commonest reasons for that beingrnmarketing trips to urban centers within and the neighboring woredas. Amongrnthose who spent nights in town, 45.9% reported having had unprotected sexrnwith local liquor sellers. Other prevailing socio-cultural factors and rituals suchrnas, pre-marital sexual relation ships, multiple sexual practices, extra-maritalrnsexual activity, wife inheritance, â€œIvangadiâ€, mass circumcision seem torncontribute to the risky behavioral practices to spread of the HIV virus in therncommunity. The comprehensive knowledge of the community about HIV/AIDSrnwas also relatively lower than the recent BSS for pastoralist communities.rnixrnThus, more extensive health education program through different out lets withrndue consideration of the deep-rooted cultural and traditional practices of therncommunity is forwarded. Moreover, involvement of the community in thernprocess of bringing about urgent solutions for the prevailing problems isrnrecommended.