Does family migration affect health-related quality of life? a cross-sectional survey of the health status of migrants in China.

BACKGROUND

Family migration is a trend of domestic population migration in China. However, few studies have investigated the impact of family migration on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of migrants.

OBJECTIVE

To understand the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of migrants during urban development in China, and to analyze its influencing factors from the perspective of integrating family migration patterns with individual health behaviors.

METHOD: Wilcoxon rank sum test and Kruskal-Wallis H test were used to analyze the differences in health-related quality of life among the migrants. Multiple linear regression method was used to analyze the relationship between family migration, health behavior and quality of life.

RESULTS

A total of 935 valid questionnaires were collected. The utility index of the migrants was 1.00 (0.80,1.00), and the EQ-VAS score was 83 (73,90). The results of univariate analysis showed that migrants living with spouse and children, near migration, high self-rated family economic status, adherence to reasonable diet, moderate exercise and adequate sleep had higher health-related quality of life (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that family and migration factors such as nuclear family migration degree, migration distance, and self-rated family economic status (P < 0.05), personal health and health behavior factors such as dietary habits, weekly exercise time, sleep time, and the number of chronic diseases (P < 0.05) were associated with the health-related quality of life of migrants. Migrants had more difficulties in "pain/discomfort" and "anxiety/depression", accounting for 25.2% and 31.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Family-related factors such as nuclear family members not migrating together, long distance migration, poor family economic status, and personal factors such as not adhering to health behaviors and the coexistence of multiple chronic diseases could weaken the health-related quality of life of migrants. Pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression were the main health problems affecting migrants. For this reason, attention should be paid to migrants such as those living alone or with low incomes. In addition, improving the health literacy and health behavior of migrants by promoting healthy lifestyle, carrying out mental health activities, and strengthening health management services can help promote the social integration of migrants and promote the development of cities.