Unmarried male migrants and sexual risk behavior: a cross-sectional study in Shanghai, China

Abstract

BackgroundIn China, there is increasing concern because of the rapid increase in HIV infection recorded over recent years. Migrant workers are recognized as one of the groups most affected. In this study, HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and behavior among unmarried migrant workers in Shanghai are investigated, with the aim of providing critical information for policy makers and sex educators to reinforce sexual health services and sex health education targeting the behavior and sexual health of unmarried male migrants.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among unmarried male migrant workers in Shanghai, China’s largest city and housing the most migrants. A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire was used to collect information on knowledge, attitudes, and behavior associated with increased risk of HIV/AIDS.ResultsA total of 2254 subjects were questioned, with a response rate of 91.3%. Among those interviewed, 63.5% reported sexual activities. Misconceptions regarding HIV transmission, poor perception of HIV infection, and low use of condoms were not uncommon. Among those who had sexual intercourse, 73.7% had not used condoms in their last sexual intercourse, and 28.6% reported having engaged in sexual risk behavior (defined as having at least one non-regular partner). Multivariate logistic regression analyses identified several indicators of sexual risk behavior, including younger age at first sexual intercourse (OR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.31–0.91 for older age at first sexual intercourse), more cities of migration (OR: 2.91, 95% CI: 2.17–3.81 for high level; OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.06–1.29 for medium level), poor perception of acquiring HIV/AIDS (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.33–1.96 for unlikely; OR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.61–3.70 for impossible), frequent exposure to pornography (OR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.11–0.43 for never; OR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.60–1.81 for less frequently), not knowing someone who had or had died of HIV/AIDS and related diseases (OR: 2.13, 95% CI: 1.70–2.53 for no), and having peers who engaged in sex with a non-regular sex partner (OR: 4.40, 95% CI: 3.37–5.56 for yes).ConclusionsToday, it is necessary to reinforce sex health education among unmarried migrants and sexual health services should target vulnerable migrant young people.

Sexual behavior of migrant workers in Shanghai, China

“…Studies in India (25.0 %), South Africa (33.0 %) and Croatia (44.7 %) have revealed that condom use is less practiced among migrant workers having sexual contact with any casual or commercial sexual partners [ 21 – 23 ]. Wang et al [ 24 ] have found that there are 73.7 % unmarried male migrants in Shanghai who had sexual intercourse had not used condoms in their last sexual intercourse and 50.6 % reported never or occasionally used a condom with their casual extramarital sex. The condom use in general group in the present study was higher than previously reported by other studies, but lower in the casual extramarital sex group than others.…”

“…As Wang et al . [ 24 ] reported, participants who perceived themselves to be at low risk of HIV infection were more likely to have non-regular sexual partners than those at a higher risk., The education of condom use in migrants is necessary especially among those who had casual extramarital sex.…”

HIV Risky Sexual Behaviors and HIV Infection Among Immigrants: A Cross-Sectional Study in Lisbon, Portugal

“…Regarding type of sexual partner, two response options were used (regular/occasional partner)—regular sexual partner was defined as a person with whom one has sexual intercourse and has plans for further long term or committed relationship; occasional sexual partner was defined as a person with whom one has sexual intercourse (without payment) and has no plans for further long term or committed relationship [8]. As these response options were not mutually exclusive, for the analysis they were categorized into “only regular”, “only occasional” and “regular and occasional”.…”

Assessment of Risk Sexual Behaviors among Adults at Adigrat Town, Tigray, Ethiopia

“…This findings was nearly similar with the study conducted in Dangila town ,Northwestern Ethiopia ,which was more than 98% of the respondents have heard about modern family planning methods. However, most commonly mentioned 87.2% of modern family planning methods were inject able (37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54). Therefore, understanding the various factors contributing to decreases risky sexual behavior is crucial.…”