Alcohol intoxication and sexual risk behaviors among rural-to-urban migrants in China.
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-to-urban 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.
Lin
Danhua
D
Beijing Normal University Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing 100875, China.
Li
Xiaoming
X
Yang
Hongmei
H
Fang
Xiaoyi
X
Stanton
Bonita
B
Chen
Xinguang
X
Abbey
Antonia
A
Liu
Hongjie
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*