hiv/aids is a major concern epidemic in africa and cause of death in many parts of africa. although the continent contains about 15.2% of the world's population, sub-saharan africa accounts for about 69% of hiv patients, and 70% of all aids deaths in 2011. in the north african countries have the lowest prevalence rates, as their populations usually share cultural patterns that reduce the spread of the disease, in contrast to what the desert countries did in africa. southern africa is the most affected region on the continent. as of 2011, hiv has infected at least 10% of the population in botswana, lesotho, malawi, mozambique, namibia, south africa, swaziland, zambia and zimbabwe.