Temporary Migration and STD/HIV Risky Sexual Behavior: A Population-Based Analysis of Gender Differences in China.

The link between migration and STD/HW risky sexual behavior has been well documented. Research of risky sexual behavior that addresses the issue of gender-migration interaction or employs a multilevel perspective is still limited in China. Using data from a probability survey and applying multilevel modeling, this paper examines gender differences in (1) the link between migration and risky sexual behavior and (2) individual and community correlates of risky sexual behavior. Results suggest significant interaction between gender and migration. Being a temporary migrant is associated with significantly more risky sexual behaviors for females but significantly fewer for males. There are also significant interactions between gender and marriage and living arrangement. Being married and living with others both appear to be more powerful deterrents to risky sexual behavior for females than for males. Single migrant women who live alone have the most risky sexual behaviors while married nonmigrant women who live with others have the least. Risky sexual behavior is further influenced by family and peers and conditioned by community contexts. Prevention programs are urgently needed for female temporary migrants and must address the issue of gender and pay attention to social influences of family and peers and community contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]