Hongyun Fu¹, Stacey B. Plichta, ScD², and Clare Houseman, PhD, RN, CS². (1) College of Health Sciences, Urban Health Services, College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, 203 Spong Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529, 757-683-5137, hxfu@odu.edu, (2) College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, 129 Spong Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529

Background: Globally, population migration is associated with the spread of HIV/STDs. Current research primarily focuses on the impact of migration on individual risk behaviors. This study concentrates on the macro association between temporary migration, the existence of high-risk environments, and the diffusion of HIV/STDs in China.

Methods: Data were collected between the end of 2000 and the beginning of 2001 through a community-level survey conducted by the Provincial Statistics Bureau in a province in the southwest China, which is the epicenter of HIV/AIDS of the country. The survey covered 132 counties/cities and contained aggregate information on SES indicators, HIV/STD incidences, detained drug abusers and commercial sex workers from 1996 to 2000.

Results: Temporary migration is positively correlated with the prevalence of drug abuse and commercial sex. The prevalence of drug abuse and commercial sex are positively associated with the prevalence of HIV/STDs. There is a significant positive relationship between the level of temporary migration and HIV/STDs prevalence as well as the prevalence of HIV among non-migrant residents.

Conclusions: Temporary migration in China has institutionalized contextual risk environments for the diffusion of HIV/STDs. There is an urgent need to establish effective intervention on the temporary-migration-HIV/STDs-dynamics in order to combat HIV/STDs epidemic. Interventions on temporary migrants would contribute to the deduction of drug abuse and commercial sex, as well as HIV/STD incidences.

Learning Objectives:

• 3. Identify the macro association between temporary migration and the diffusion of HIV/STDs in China.
  7. Discuss feasible HIV interventions based on the influence of risky social environments on individual HIV risk-taking behaviors.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.