Childhood sexual abuse and sexual risks among young rural-to-urban migrant women in Beijing, China

Abstract

Background. Child sexual abuse (CSA) has substantial impact on women. The current study aims to explore the patterns of CSA in migrant women in China. Moreover, a relationship between experience of CSA and increased sexual risks was also examined among this vulnerable population.

Methods. A final sample of 478 rural-to-urban migrant women was recruited from different work places in two urban districts of Beijing, China.

Results. About 17% (n=80) of migrant women reported ever experienced any kind of CSA before 16 years of age. Participants who had multiple sexual partners, drank before sex and had early age of sexual debut reported higher rate of overall CSA (45.7% vs. 23%, p<0.01; 41.2% vs. 24%, p<0.05; and 47.8% vs. 24.4%, p<0.05) and contact CSA (37.1% vs. 15.6%, p<0.01; 32.4% vs. 16.8%, p<0.05; and 39.1% vs. 17%, p<0.05) compared to their counterparts. The multivariate analysis confirmed the results of bivariate analysis that a history of CSA was associated with increased sexual risks in adulthood.

Conclusion. The current study suggests that health-related prevention intervention programs (i.e., HIV-related sexual risks prevention intervention) targeting the migrant women population needs to take in consideration the possible experience of CSA. Moreover, effective school-based or community-based CSA prevention intervention should be conducted to reduce CSA rate and improve attention to CSA issues in rural communities in China.

Keywords:

• child sexual abuse
• sexual risks
• young rural-to-urban migrant women
• China

Acknowledgements

The research is supported by Chinese National Social Science Foundation (Grant No. 08CSH028).