Public Health
Volume 120, Issue 4 , Pages 339-345, April 2006

HIV-related sexual behaviour among migrants and non-migrants in a rural area of China: Role of rural-to-urban migration

  • Z. Hu

      Affiliations

    • Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
    • ,
  • H. Liu

      Affiliations

    • School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Address: School of Medicine, Prevention Research Center, Wayne State University, 4201 St Antoine, UHC-6D, Detroit, MI 48201-2196, USA. Tel.: +1 313 745 8617; fax: +1 313 745 4993.
    • ,
  • X. Li

      Affiliations

    • School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
    • ,
  • B. Stanton

      Affiliations

    • School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
    • ,
  • X. Chen

      Affiliations

    • School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA

Received 31 March 2005; received in revised form 9 September 2005; accepted 18 October 2005.

Summary 

Objective

To compare human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related sexual risks between temporary rural-to-urban migrants and non-migrants, and to explore the role of migration in HIV transmission in a rural area of China.

Study design

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 605 (302.5 couples, one male missing) marriage licence applicants.

Methods

A two-part anonymous questionnaire was used. The first part included non-sensitive questions including demographics and HIV knowledge. Sensitive questions related to sexual behaviours were administered in the second part of the questionnaire using a tape recorder, earphones and an answer sheet.

Results

Sixty-six percent (399/605) of the study subjects had migrated to a city for a temporary job. The proportions of migrants who had premarital sex (62%, 247/399) and multiple sexual partners (12%, 47/399) were significantly higher than those of non-migrants (52 and 6%, respectively). Among those who had multiple sexual partners, only 9% (4/47) of migrants and 8% (1/12) of non-migrants reported often or always using condoms with sexual partners other than their spouse. A low level of knowledge regarding HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome was observed in both groups. Very few migrants (15%, 61/399) and non-migrants (10%, 20/206) perceived themselves to be at risk of HIV infection.

Conclusions

As both migrants and non-migrants are at risk of HIV infection, intervention programmes targeting reduction of HIV sexual risk behaviour should cover both groups in rural areas of China.

Keywords: Migrants, Non-migrants, Sexual risk behaviour, HIV infection, China

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PII: S0033-3506(05)00272-6

doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2005.10.016

Public Health
Volume 120, Issue 4 , Pages 339-345, April 2006

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