Gender difference in sexual and reproductive health among young migrant workers

Objective To understand the sexual and reproductive health knowledge,attitude and practice status among male and female young migrants aged 15-24 years old and its influencing factors.Methods A total of 1 075 migrants aged 15-24 were investigated with anonymous self-adm inistered questionnaire in Ji'nan city.Results The sexual and reproductive health knowledge of male and female young migrants were rather low with anaverage score of 25 10 for abortion knowledge in the males.35.0% of male subjects considered that one could have premarital sex if the partner nodded,while only 16.1% of female subjects agreed with the attitude.The proportion of sticking to having no sex with lovers in the males was lower than that of in the females(χ²=14.1704,P<0.001).30.7% of the subjects reported sex experience with the ratios 40.1% in males and 23.7% in females,and the difference was of significance(χ²=29.385,P<0.001).Sex experience of both males and females was positively influenced by education level,the attitude about contraception.The attitude toward unmarried sex and the coping method with lover's sex request were positively associated with sex experience in the female.Conclusion The gender differences between male and female should be considered when sexual and reproductive health education and services are provided to unmarried young migrants.