Migration and HIV/STD Risk in China

Xiushi Yang, Old Dominion University
Valerian Derlega, Old Dominion University
Huasong Luo, Yunnan Normal University

The link between migration and HIV goes beyond migration’s roles as virus carrier and population mixer. The process of migration exposes migrants to conditions that are conducive to HIV risk behaviours. In this paper, data from a population-based survey in China (3,465 males and 2,007 females) are used to examine differences in prevalence of HIV risk behaviours between temporary migrants and non-migrants. Two sample χ2 tests of difference in proportions are used to test if migrants differ from non-migrants in prevalence rates of risk behaviours and HIV/STDs; logistic regression is used to test if and to what extent social control, social isolation, and migration selectivity help to explain migrants’ elevated HIV risk behaviours. All analyses use survey design-based “svy” methods in STATA software to adjust for population weights and PSU design effects. Findings will provide most useful inputs for HIV interventions that target the ever-increasing mobile population in China.