The number of HIV-positive pregnant women in South Africa has settled at 29 percent while the rate of positive expecting mothers in their early 30s remains high at 40 percent, according to a 2008 government study reported on by Agence France-Presse.

According to the article, nearly 40,000 women participated in the annual study, which was conducted in state hospitals and clinics.

Overall, the HIV/AIDS rate among pregnant women declined by just 0.1 points to 29.3 percent, but it increased slightly among women in their 20s to 37.9 percent. For women ages 30 to 34, the rate rose to 40.4 percent.

Currently, one in 10 South Africans is living with the virus. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said, “We seem to be losing the battle, but not yet the war.”