Epidemiologic Study On High-risk Behaviors For HIV/STDs Infections Among Migrant Construction Laborers And Fishermen

ObjectiveTo investigate the high-risk behaviors for HIV/STDs infection among migrant construction laborers and fishermen,analyze potential risk factors associated with high risk behaviors and assess the self-reported rates of STDs history and STD-related symptoms.MethodsCross-sectional study was designed for this study.Qualitative and quantitative methods were conducted to investigate the participants' demographic characteristics, occupation,high-risk behaviors associated with HIV/STDs,prevalence rates of STDs history and the STD-related symptoms,and current health service provided to them. Qualitative data was analyzed according to the items of semi-structured interviews. T-tests were performed to measure the means difference.Tests of association between certain categorical variables were conducted using chi-square tests.Logistic regression was performed to measure associations between potential risk factors and reported potential high-risk sexual behavior(defined as having lifetime casual or commercial sexual partners).Results1.1,625 migrant construction laborers and 817 fishermen participated this study. All participants were male.Casual or commercial sex was the main high-risk behavior for HIV/STDs infection in the target population.The rates of casual and commercial sex reported were 15.8%and 14.2%among migrant construction laborers,and the corresponding rates for fishermen were 18.1%and 28.9%. Factors associated with HIV/STDs related high-risk behavior among migrant construction laborers were never working abroad(OR=0.745,p=0.043),age of initial sexual intercourse equal or more than 22 years(OR=0.437,p＜0.001),negative attitude toward multiple sexual partners(OR=0.437,p＜0.001),high lifetime sex frequency (OR＞1,p=0.043);using condoms incorrectly(OR=0.473,p＜0.001) and being married(OR=0.338,p=0.004).The results from qualitative study showed that enterprise management,different migrant countries,peer affection and lack of awareness of HIV/STDs prevention were also associated with high-risk behavior.Factors associated with HIV/STDs related high-risk behaviors among fishermen were mobility(OR=1.516,p=0.038),low AIDS knowledge scores(OR=1.110,p=0.006), higher lifetime sex frequency(OR=1.422,p=0.002),unmarried status(OR=22.527,p=0.041),low intake of alcohol(OR=0.803,p=0.053),using condoms incorrectly(OR=0.634,p=0.010),negative STD history(OR=0.268,p=0.001), age of initial sexual intercourse equal or more than 22 years(OR=0.440,p＜0.001), negative attitude toward multiple sexual partners(OR=0.437,p＜0.001) and legitimation for commercial sex(OR=0.612,p=0.007).The results from qualitative study showed that occupation,family tolerance to risk sexual behaviors,lack of awareness of disease prevention were also associated with high-risk behavior.2.STD history and STD-related symptoms were reported 0.4%and 2.8%among migrant construction laborers.Corresponding rates for fishermen were 1.7%and 7.2%.ConclusionsThe reported rates of high-risk behaviors associated with HIV/STDs are high,as well as the self-reported rates of STDs history and STD-related symptoms. Appropriate interventions should be carried out to reduce the high-risk behaviors of the target population.