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. 2022 Sep 20;12(9):e056452.
doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056452.

Factors associated with risk behaviours towards hepatitis B among migrant workers: a cross-sectional study based on theory of planned behaviour

Hui Xiang  1 , Mingjing Li  2   3 , Meng Xiao  4 , Min Liu  5 , Xiaoshan Su  6 , Dashu Wang  7 , Ke Li  8 , Rui Chen  8 , Lin Gan  2 , Kun Chu  2 , Yu Tian  1 , Xiaojun Tang  9   3 , Xun Lei  9   3
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Factors associated with risk behaviours towards hepatitis B among migrant workers: a cross-sectional study based on theory of planned behaviour

Hui Xiang et al. BMJ Open. .

Abstract

Objectives: Rural-to-urban migrant workers are susceptible to hepatitis B because of lack of self-protection awareness and social support. The aim of this study was to explore the factors influencing risk behaviours for hepatitis B among migrant workers based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB).

Design: A cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Chongqing, China PARTICIPANT: Migrant workers PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes were the TPB variables. The secondary outcomes were factors explored by logistic regressions which were associated with hepatitis B related risk behaviours and behavioural intentions (BI).

Results: Of 1299 recruited migrant workers, 384 (29.56%) participants undertook risk behaviours related to hepatitis B virus infection in the 6 months prior to the survey, and 1111 (85.53%) migrant workers had the BI of doing so. Of 842 migrant workers who undertook sexual activities, 58.19% did not use condoms. Binary logistic regressions showed that migrant workers who were men (p<0.05), less educated (p<0.01), lacked hepatitis B knowledge (p<0.05) and of a young age (p<0.01), were more intent on conducting hepatitis B-related behaviours. Alcohol drinking (p<0.01) was also positively associated with hepatitis B risk. The scores of TPB variables, including attitude towards behaviour and subjective norms, were positively associated with BI when adjusted for sociodemographics (p<0.001). Meanwhile, experience of behaviour and regret feeling were positively associated with BI and actual behaviours (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively).

Conclusions: A considerable proportion of migrant workers undertake hepatitis B-related risk behaviours, and condoms are seldom used. Health education campaigns targeting the identified TPB variables may play a significant role in improving awareness of hepatitis B prevention among migrant workers, especially for those who are men, younger, alcohol drinkers, less educated and lacking hepatitis B knowledge.

Keywords: EPIDEMIOLOGY; Infection control; Public health.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

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