Objective  To explore current situation and influencing factors of the establishment of health records among migrants for promoting health literacy and condition of the population.

  Methods  We collected relevant data on a nationally representative sample of migrants aged ≥ 15 years from the dataset of National Migrant Population Dynamic Survey conducted in China in 2015 and analyzed the data using SPSS 20.0.

  Results  Of the 205 990 migrants with valid information, only 29.1% (59 934) reported the establishment of their health records; 54.5% (112 228) had no health records and 16.4% (33 828) were not sure whether having their health records being established. There were significant regional and between-subgroup differences in health record establishment among the migrants. The ratio of health record establishment was relatively low among the migrants being unmarried, with lower education, having inter-province migration, and with a short period of migration and among male migrants. The ratio of with the established health record for the immigrants in the eastern part of China was only a half of that for the immigrants in the central part of China and the ratio was the lowest (8.3%, 1 380/16 645) for the migrants without health education experience. Health education played a positive role on health record establishment for the migrants.

  Conclusion  The establishment of health record should be promoted urgently among migrant population and governmental agencies and social organizations should play an active role in the process.