Cultural orientation and social capital as predictors of condom use among internal migrants in China

• Published in: Health education journal Vol. 75; no. 1; pp. 61 - 71
• Main Authors: Du, Hongfei, Li, Xiaoming, Lin, Danhua, Tam, Cheuk Chi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.02.2016; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS); Adaptation; Adaptation to change; Adjustment (to Environment); Asians; Beijing China; China (Beijing); Collectivism; Condoms; Contraception; Correlation; Cultural capital; Cultural factors; Cultural Influences; Foreign Countries; Foreigners; Gender Differences; Health Behavior; HIV; Human immunodeficiency virus; Indirect effects; Individualism; Internal migration; Intervention; Measures (Individuals); Migrants; Model testing; Modelling; Noncitizens; Orientation effects; Prevention; Prevention programs; Risk; Rural communities; Rural to Urban Migration; Safe sexual practices; Sex Education; Sexual behavior; Sexual behaviour; Sexual health; Sexuality; Sexually transmitted diseases; Social behavior; Social Capital; STD; Structural Equation Models; China (Beijing); Beijing China; China; social capital; individualism; China; migrants; condom use; collectivism; Adaptation
• ISSN: 0017-8969; 1748-8176
• DOI: 10.1177/0017896914563321

Background: The global literature has revealed that cultural orientation, adaptation and social capital may influence HIV-related sexual behaviours among migrants. However, whether cultural orientations influence adaptation and social capital and thereby affect sexual behaviour is not well understood. Method: This study examined whether individualistic and collectivistic orientations, adaptation and social capital have direct and indirect effects on condom use among rural-to-urban migrants in China. We collected data from 641 migrants aged 17 to 30 years, in Beijing, China. Participants completed scales on individualistic orientation, collectivistic orientation, adaptation, social capital and condom use. Structural equation modelling was used for model testing. Results: Condom use was positively associated with an individualistic orientation and social capital. An individualistic orientation had an indirect effect on condom use via social capital. Women reported higher levels of condom use than men. Conclusion: Future sexual risk prevention and intervention programmes to improve sexual health should pay more attention to building social capital and engaging with relevant cultural factors.