Cultural orientation, acculturation, social capital, and condom use among Chinese internal migrants

Background: The global literature has demonstrated that cultural orientations and migrant adaptation may influence HIV-related sexual behavior among migrants. However, whether cultural orientations would influence migrant adaptation and thereby affect sexual behavior is not well understood. This research examined whether cultural orientations, acculturation, and social capital have direct and indirect effects on condom use among rural-to-urban migrants in China. Methods: Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey among 641 migrants, aging from 17 to 30 years old, in Beijing, China. Participants reported on their individualistic and collectivistic orientations, acculturation, social capital, and condom use. Structural equation modeling was used for model testing. Results: Condom use was positively associated with individualistic orientation and social capital. Individualistic orientation had an indirect effect on condom use via social capital. Women reported more condom use than men. Conclusions: Future sexual risk prevention and intervention programs designed to improve sexual health should pay more attention to building social capital and taking cultural factors into account.