Sexual behavior of migrant workers in Shanghai, China

Abstract

BackgroundRapid urbanization of China has resulted in significant domestic migration. The purpose of the present study was to survey the sexual behavior of migrant workers in Shanghai and determine the risk factors for unprotected sex.MethodsA cross-sectional study of the sexual behavior of 5996 migrant workers was conducted in 7 administrative regions of Shanghai in 2012 from August to October. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data.ResultsFive thousand seven hundred seventy two out of the 5996 migrants enrolled into the present study were primarily young adults aged 34.3 ± 10.6 years. Of them, 73.5 % were married, 51.1 % graduated from junior high school, 46.0 % earned 1500–2500 yuan (RMB) monthly. The majority (82.3 %) of the migrants engaged in sexual behavior, and 58.0 % did not use condoms in sexual intercourse. Some of the participants (15.2 %) had casual extramarital partners within the previous 12 months; among them, 76.2 % never or only occasionally used condoms. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that condom use was associated with age, occupation, monthly income, education, and housing conditions. Having temporary sexual partners was significantly associated with several factors such as unmarried (OR: 0.47, 95 % CI: 0.38–0.57), working at domestic (OR: 1.65,95 % CI: 1.17–2.34), working at wholesale/retail(OR: 1.65, 95 % CI: 1.13–2.13), and male migrants (OR: 2.37, 95 % CI: 1.96–2.85), but not with other factors such as age, monthly income, or education. Having casual extramarital partners was significantly associated with female migrants working at domestic (OR: 1.89, 95 % CI: 1.09–3.28), unmarried male migrants (OR: 0.51, 95 % CI: 0.36–0.74).ConclusionCloser attention should be paid to sexual health education among migrant workers, especially women and those working in domestic and wholesale/retail occupations. The use of condoms should be promoted for older (>35 y), low-income, and less-educated individuals.

Characterizing Unsafe Sexual Behavior among Factory Workers in the Context of Rapid Industrialization in Northern Vietnam

“…In contrast, we found that migrant and immigrant workers had higher odds of not using condoms in the last sexual intercourse with sex workers and/or casual partners. Sexual behaviors of migrants and immigrants often changes upon moving, and the feeling of anonymity in a new region or country may increase the likelihood of participating in risky sexual activities, such as alcohol abuse, multiple sex partners, or having sexual intercourse with commercial sex workers [11,29]. Studies in the past further indicated that such high-risk sexual activities might be the social-psychological characteristics of some migrant workers.…”

“…For instance, in a study done in Nepal, it was reported that 90.2% of males and 41.7% of females who had nonregular sexual partners perceived having no risk of HIV/AIDS [10]. Another study conducted among migrant workers in manufacturing, construction, accommodation/catering, domestic service, wholesale/retail, and entertainment fields in China revealed that the majority of them did not use condoms while engaging in sexual intercourse, and about two-thirds of participants never or only occasionally used condoms with their casual extramarital partners within the last 12 months [11]. Studies among workers in Bangladesh, India, and Jordan also saw similar results of high levels of risky sexual practices [4,7,12].…”

Sexual Behavior, Function and Satisfaction in Headache Associated with Sexual Activity: A Systematic Review of Literature

“…Factually, extradyadic involvement is not uncommon in both modern western and eastern society, ranging from 50% -82% of men and 26% -70% of women [51]. It is estimated to be 25.0% of monogamous relationship in United States [52] and 15.2% of Chinese migrant workers [53]. Generally, the frequency is higher in men than women in both the western [54] and eastern countries [55].…”

Ureaplasma urealyticum and chlamydia trachomatis among general married migrants in three cities of China: a workplace-based study

“…When migrants leave their familiar environment, some risky sexual activities, such as multiple sexual partners, commercial sex, etc, might increase because of the anonymity and anything else [25] . Dai et al [26] reported that 15.2% of migrant workers had casual extramarital partners but 76.2% of them never or only occasionally used condoms. Migrants were more likely to have STI-associated risk behaviors than non-migrants.…”