Nairobi, March 16 -- Droughts could heighten the transmission of HIV particularly through activities like transactional sex, scientists say.

A recent study by University of Bristol revealed that drought-induced behavioural changes, often driven by insufficient resources, could contribute to the spread of HIV.

Published in Aids and Behaviour, last month, the study suggests that droughts trigger behavioural changes among the affected populations as people grapple with poverty and food insecurity.

In rural areas heavily reliant on farming, individuals may resort to activities such as prostitution as a means of coping with hard times. This, in turn, increases the risk of HIV transmission.

The study data from Eswatini, Lesotho, Tanzania, U...