Sexual behaviors related to HIV infection in Yi women of childbearing age in rural areas of southwest China.

Liangshan Prefecture, the highest HIV-affected epidemic region in China, has more than 2.5 million Yi people. We firstly investigated the sexual behaviors and the related social determinants of health for HIV infection in Yi women of childbearing age in this area. A total of 800 Yi women of childbearing age were enrolled. Path analysis of the risk factors revealed that casual sex (0.152) and number of sex partners (0.152) were directly associated with HIV infection. Furthermore, education level (0.057), out-migrating for work (0.032), sense of self-worth (0.024) and number of sex partners (0.079) were indirectly related to HIV infection and mediated by casual sex and multiple sexual partners. The epidemic of HIV infection among Yi women of childbearing age in Liangshan Prefecture is serious, future promotion should increase their knowledge about condom and modify their perceptions of sexual behaviors.