A comparison of health-risk behaviors of rural migrants with rural residents and urban residents in China

Am J Health Behav. 2009 Jan-Feb;33(1):15-25. doi: 10.5993/ajhb.33.1.2.

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether rural-to-urban migrants in China are more likely than rural and urban residents to engage in risk behaviors.

Methods: Comparative analysis of survey data between migrants and rural and urban residents using age standardized rate and multiple logistic regression.

Results: The prevalence and frequency of tobacco smoking, alcohol intoxication, and commercial sex involvement among migrants were generally lower than or equal to those among the 2 comparison groups. Gender, education, and income were associated with risk behaviors in most cases.

Conclusion: Socioeconomic status appears to be more important than migration or residential locations in affecting risk behavior.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alcoholic Intoxication / epidemiology
  • China / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Health Behavior*
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Rural Health / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sex Work / statistics & numerical data
  • Smoking / epidemiology
  • Social Class
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Transients and Migrants / classification*
  • Transients and Migrants / psychology*
  • Urban Health / statistics & numerical data*
  • Young Adult