Abstract
Background There is a lack of solid data on suicide among rural-to-urban migrants in China, a large and rapid growing population currently totaling 280 million. The study aims to investigate whether suicidal behaviors are more prevalent among the rural migrants than the non-migrant rural and urban residents. Methods Data from a probability sample (N=3951, 32.65% rural-to-urban migrants) were analyzed. The sample was selected in Wuhan, China using the GIS/GPS-assisted multistage probability sampling method. Suicidal ideation and attempt in the past year were measured. Prevalence rate [95% CI] was calculated using survey estimation method, considering the sampling design with sample clusters, disproportionate probabilities, and weights. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) [95% CI] was used to compare the difference of rural migrants with rural and urban residents in suicidal behaviors controlling for covariates. Results Among rural migrants, 5.74% [4.81, 6.68] reported having suicidal ideation, compared to 4.74% [3.07, 6.42] and 3.65% [2.64, 4.65] for rural and urban residents, respectively. The migrant-urban resident difference was significant with AOR =1.93 [1.26, 2.94] while the migrant-rural resident difference was not with AOR= 0.87 [0.46, 1.67]. The prevalence rate of suicidal attempt was 5.47% [4.57, 6.36] for rural migrants, significantly higher than 1.14% [0.43, 1.85] for rural residents with AOR=2.89 [1.12, 7.43]; and 2.01% [1.21, 2.82] for urban residents with AOR =3.97 [2.15, 7.34]. Conclusions Rural migrants are at higher risks for suicide comparing to rural and urban residents. Additional research is needed to examine factors related to the increased risk of suicidal behaviors among rural migrants in China.
Social Capital Associated with Quality of Life Mediated by Employment Experiences: Evidence from a Random Sample of Rural-to-Urban Migrants in China
