Social integration, AIDS knowledge and factors related to HIV prevention among migrant workers in Thailand

Previous research on migrant health indicates that social integration may exert a strong influence on health behavior. However, to our knowledge, this factor has not been integrated into models for HIV prevention. Drawing constructs from the Health Belief Model, the objective of this paper was to determine whether social integration, demographic, relationship and other factors were related to migrants' ability to prevent HIV infection through AIDS knowledge and condom use. Data for the study were drawn from a survey of 3,405 male and female migrant laborers from Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos who were working in Thailand in 2010. Regression analysis showed that social integration, participation in an AIDS prevention program, self efficacy, demographic and relationship factors increased AIDS knowledge and condom use with regular and nonregular partners. The social integration of migrants into the Thai community strengthened HIV prevention efforts.