This study describes the social and demographic characteristics and sexual behavior of the migrant population in Qingdao City, China. Data were obtained from 1555 migrant women in 4 districts and 54 subdistricts in July 1994. Findings indicate that the average age was 30.5 years; 73.3% were aged 22-34 years. Most women had an elementary or middle-school education. 71.5% were unemployed before migration; 13.6% remained unemployed at destination. 79.2% of all migrants migrated from Shangdong province. 8.3% of female migrants were registered in Qingdao city before arrival. Most migrants came from rural areas. 61.8% of female migrants lived in the city for under 5 years. 47.8% of migrants rented private living space, 23.9% rented space belonging to the employer or government, 18.8% lived with relatives, and 9.5% lived in temporary housing. The average living space/person was 6.39 sq. m. Family income was over 600 yuan for 67.5% of migrants, between 300 and 600 yuan for 26.3%, and under 300 yuan for 6.2%. 14.7% of migrant women were sexually active before marriage; 9.1% had an unwanted pregnancy and 8.8% had an abortion. 59.4% of unmarried sexually active women used contraceptives. After marriage, 34.8% of married migrant women had 1 abortion; 53.7% had 2 or more pregnancies. Younger migrant women were more knowledgeable about sex. 37.6% did not know about sexually transmitted disease. 45.3% of married migrant women used IUDs, 33.2% used condoms, and 9.4% used contraceptive pills. Age was related to method choice. Pills had the highest failure rate. 51.6% had experienced a contraceptive failure, an unwanted pregnancy, and an abortion.

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information processing urban population Studies Research Methodology China Surveys population methodology demography developing country Population Dynamics Sampling Studies Research Report Developing Countries epidemiology Asia Far East Eastern Asia Population Characteristics--women Urban Population--women Migrants--women Article migration population and population related phenomena Demographic Factors research Emigration and Immigration Transients and Migrants Population Characteristics Data Collection