SHANGHAI, June 14 -- MORE than 30 percent of married migrant women in Guangzhou have diseased reproductive systems, and 31.89 percent of single migrant women don't know what a venereal disease is, Southcn.com reported today.

Guangzhou's family planning bureau conducted a survey on the reproductive condition of migrant workers in the city, covering 6,395 people from 16 to 49 years old.

In the survey, 11.84 percent of single men have had more than three sexual partners, along with 4.49 percent of single women.

Liu Yidong, the director of the bureau, said migrant workers lack the knowledge about venereal diseases and some have unhealthy sex lives, which cause the spread of AIDS.

Migrant workers have become a big percentage of Guangzhou's population. By the end of last year, 3.67 million migrant workers received certificates for temporary residence, equal to nearly half of Guangzhou permanent registered residents.

The survey said 11.6 percent of single migrant women have had sexual experiences, compared to 43.22 percent among all single migrant men. Among all single migrant workers, 32.38 percent said they seldom use a condom, 25.4 percent said they never use protection, 23.33 percent often use protection and only 18.89 percent use a condom every time.

More than 25 percent of migrant workers don't know that condoms can help prevent the spread of venereal disease, and 20.86 percent of workers said they don't believe that condoms can prevent the AIDS infection.

Experts said authorities should promote sex knowledge among migrant workers, especially in AIDS and venereal diseases prevention.

Duan Jianhua, an official of the bureau, said they will provide condoms to private companies where many migrant workers work. The city will soon map out a system to regulate these workers' reproductive health.

By Winny Wang