Alcohol intoxication and sexual risk behaviors among rural-to-urban migrants in China

Abstract

Background-The migrant population in China is at high risk for sexual risk behavior and alcohol intoxication. Information about the prevalence of alcohol intoxication and its association with sexual risk behavior among migrants is needed for designing effective intervention prevention programs for reduction in alcohol abuse and HIV infection.Methods-Cross-sectional data were collected from 2153 sexually experienced young rural-tourban migrants in Beijing and Nanjing, China, in 2002.Results-Approximately one-third of the participants had been intoxicated with alcohol at least once during the previous month, with more males than females reporting intoxication (40.2% versus 23.7%, p < 0.001). Compared to non-intoxicated participants, respondents with alcohol intoxication in previous 30 days reported more psychological problems, including higher depression scores, lower levels of satisfaction with life and work, and higher perception of peer involvement in risk behavior. Intoxicated respondents were more likely to engage in premarital sex than non-intoxicated respondents (76% versus 60.2%, p < 0.001), have multiple sexual partners (13.4% versus 5.2%, p < 0.001), purchase sex (12.6% versus 4.9%, p < 0.001), and sell sex (10.1% versus 3.7%, p < 0.001). However, there was no association between alcohol intoxication and inconsistent/non-use of condoms. Multivariate analysis controlling for depression, peer risk involvement, age, gender, and other socio-demographic variables indicated that alcohol intoxication was independently correlated with premarital sex, multiple sexual partners, and buying and selling sex.Conclusions-Compared to the general Chinese population, levels of intoxication were elevated among Chinese rural-to-urban migrants. Alcohol intoxication was associated with sexual risk behaviors. HIV/AIDS prevention and intervention efforts should include components of alcohol use/ abuse prevention for an effective reduction of sexual risk among young rural-to-urban migrants in China.

The Relationship Between Alcohol Consumption and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Risk Behaviour: A Systematic Literature Review of High-Risk Groups, with a Focus on South Africa

“…Xiao et al (2010) argue that migrants with a low level of education are unlikely to use a condom regardless of whether they use alcohol or not. While no association was found between alcohol consumption of any kind and condom use in migrants, overall alcohol consumption was high in migrant workers (Lin et al, 2005;Rhodes et al, 2010). In addition, a high number of sexual partners, buying or selling sex, and a history of STDs were common occurrences (Lin et al, 2005;Rhodes et al, 2010).…”

“…While no association was found between alcohol consumption of any kind and condom use in migrants, overall alcohol consumption was high in migrant workers (Lin et al, 2005;Rhodes et al, 2010). In addition, a high number of sexual partners, buying or selling sex, and a history of STDs were common occurrences (Lin et al, 2005;Rhodes et al, 2010). In 2153 sexually experienced young ruralto-urban migrants (1425 male and 728 female), levels of intoxication were elevated among migrants compared to the general population (Lin et al, 2005).…”

“…Alcohol intoxication was associated with multiple sex partners (OR 3.07, CI 1.91-4.95) and buying sex (OR 5.46, CI 2.97-10.04) in males. Intoxicated respondents were significantly more likely to engage in premarital sex and have multiple sexual partners, as well as purchase and sell sex, compared to non-intoxicated respondents (Lin et al, 2005). In a sample of 100 Mexican migrant workers, 10 (40%) of 25 individuals who report having sex in the past 3 months had done so under the influence of alcohol (Rhodes et al, 2010).…”

“…In addition, a high number of sexual partners, buying or selling sex, and a history of STDs were common occurrences (Lin et al, 2005;Rhodes et al, 2010). In 2153 sexually experienced young ruralto-urban migrants (1425 male and 728 female), levels of intoxication were elevated among migrants compared to the general population (Lin et al, 2005). Intoxication was more prevalent among male migrants than among female migrants (p<0.001).…”

The global economic burden of alcohol: a review and some suggestions

“…unprotected sex, multiple sex worker partners) (e.g. 63,64), which is in turn a risk factor for STDs (65)(66)(67)(68)(69). As discussed at length above, though, the difficulty lies in teasing out the causal link from a multitude of simple associational data.…”