New figures from the South African Medical Research Council (MRC) say five out of every 10 women tested in the east-coast city of Durban are HIV-positive.
According to Dr Gita Ramjee, director of the MRC's HIV prevention research unit, the highest rates of infection were found in women aged between 18 and 30
She told the South African Broadcasting Corporation that it was "sad because these are women in their reproductive stage, who want to have babies [and] get on with their lives."
However, Ramjee said the MRC was currently conducting four clinical trials on vaginal microbicides, which could give women more control over sexual decisions and help prevent them from contracting HIV.
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