Risk of sexual HIV transmission among wives left behind and wives of nonmigrant men in rural areas of China

J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 2009 Jul-Aug;20(4):308-15. doi: 10.1016/j.jana.2009.03.004.

Abstract

In rural areas of China where commercial plasma donation used to be common, little is known about sexual behaviors and condom use among wives left behind by migrating husbands and wives of nonmigrant men. This study investigated sexual behaviors and condom use among married women in rural areas of China. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1,873 participants recruited by a cluster-sampling method. Study results showed that wives left behind had a significantly lower mean frequency of sexual intercourse with their husbands in the previous month, a higher rate of multiple sexual partners, a higher rate of self-reported HIV infection, and a lower rate of condom use when compared with wives of nonmigrant men. Also, HIV-infected wives left behind who were infected by their husbands had multiple sex partners and did not use condoms consistently. This research provides additional insight that may be used to develop effective HIV prevention strategies in rural areas of China.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • China / epidemiology
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Extramarital Relations* / ethnology
  • Female
  • HIV Infections* / ethnology
  • HIV Infections* / transmission
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk-Taking
  • Rural Population / statistics & numerical data
  • Safe Sex* / ethnology
  • Safe Sex* / statistics & numerical data
  • Spouses* / education
  • Spouses* / ethnology
  • Spouses* / statistics & numerical data
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Transients and Migrants* / statistics & numerical data