The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #43492

Beibei Lu, MB, Department of PHs & E, University of Hawaii, 1960 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, 808-955-7293, beibei_lu@hotmail.com and Walter K. Patrick, MD, PhD, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, 1960 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822.

Following China’s economic reforms and the policy to open up new economic development zones, huge labor demands have attracted especially younger workers. Relatively richer coastal areas such as Guangzhou and Shanghai and Special Economic Zones such as Shenzhen are focal destinations for these new city migrants. For instance, this "floating population" accounts for about 75 percent of Shenzhen residents. The majority of this population are sexually active people aged 15-49. The influx of this large population and their sexual behaviors undoubtedly will impact on overall birth rates as well as determine the pattern and spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STD). To determine the extent of this problem a secondary analysis of available data was carried out including that done by Zheng Z. and Zhou Y (2001). This is supplemented by additional data collection and focus group surveys in the study areas in Shanghai and Guangzhou. The study subjects, aged 15 or over were randomly selected by household sequence in communities with dense "floating populations". Questionnaires were completed by data collection at household sites. Clusters of focus groups responded to issues on reproductive knowledge, sexual behavior pattern and use of family planning and birth control measures. Data were entered and analyzed using SAS statistics software. Findings and analysis show the high rate of STD and use of abortion as a means of birth control. The need for sex education and family planning services is assessed in these two cities which reflect the major trends in population shifts as well as social and economic freedoms and increased sexual activity.

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