Southern Africa remains the region worst-affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. A combination of factors seem to be responsible for this including: poverty and social instability, high levels of sexually transmitted infections, the low status of women, sexual violence, high mobility (particularly migrant labour), and lack of good governance.

South Africa has the sixth highest prevalence of HIV in the world, with 18.8% of the population estimated to be infected. The UNAIDS 2006 Global Report, estimated that 320 000 people died of AIDS related deaths in South Africa during 2005. South Africa is regarded as having the most severe HIV epidemic in the world

New infections are still increasing with no signs of reaching a natural limit. The total number of South Africans living with the virus at the end of 2005, was estimated by UNAIDS to be in the region of 5.5 million. This annual survey uses a statistical model to estimate the prevalence of HIV in the population based on the prevalence among women tested at state antenatal clinics. The national average of HIV+ women attending antenatal clinics in 2005 was 30.2%. The province of Kwa-Zulu Natal continues to have the highest prevalence at 39.1% followed by Mpumalanga at 34.8%.

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