Migrant Construction Workers: A Study of Sexual Behavior and Sexual Health Problems

Abstract

Sex is regarded as a personal affair of an individual. It is tough to objectively study the sexual behavior of an individual or a community. One of the reasons of fast spread of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and other sexual health problems is people’s ignorance about the potential health threats during sexual behavior. The rise of these epidemics makes sociologists realize the need of carrying out scientific research on sexual behavior. This empirical study attempts to understand the issues related to sexual behavior and sexual health of the Migrant Construction Workers (MCWs) in India. The study is conducted in six districts of western Uttar Pradesh. A multistage stratified random sampling has been used to select the three hundred respondents. The findings suggest that the MCWs are marginalized people in urban spaces and more susceptible to sexual health problems. They are victims of multiple complications because of unstable nature of their employment, vulnerable living conditions, lack of health awareness and dearth of health care facilities. This study draws the attention of the policy makers and health planners towards the sexual health problems of the unorganized workers and concludes that immediate intervention is required for improving their situation.

Keywords: sexual behavior, health, treatment, migration, construction workers