Guangzhou hospitals record a large number of patients requiring check-ups for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) ahead of the Spring Festival.

Many of them are migrant workers, who want a check-up before returning home to their spouses for the holiday, the Information Times said.

Doctors were quoted as saying many migrants, who stay a long time away from their spouses, often have extra-marital affairs.

"Around seven to eight people are coming to have venereal disease check-ups each day, up from the usual two to three cases a day," said Lu Haoqiang, of the First Affiliated Hospital at Guangzhou Medical College.

The trend was also noticed at other hospitals in the city.

Millions of men and women from other parts of the country work in Guangzhou away from their spouses. Some workers visit prostitutes to satisfy their desires, Lu said.

One male migrant, 32, from Southwest China's Sichuan Province, who went for a check-up, said he visited prostitutes once a month, even though he regreted his behavior.

"Desire forces me to do it again and again," said the man who refused to be identified.

He was worried about the cost of medical treatment if he became infected. He also feared he could spread the disease to his wife.

Lu said as most of his patients had not been infected, the check-ups eased their worries. Some even decided to take the results home to show their wives.

The doctor said there was also an increasing number of locals asking for an STD check-up following business trips to other cities.

Li Jihong, of Guangdong Sex Study Society, praised the willingness of people to seek a check-up, and believes the high numbers of STD test-takers are a good indication of public awareness on healthy sex.

It shows more people, especially migrant workers who are often not well-educated, have come to realize the problems resulting from irresponsible sex.

Editor: Yan