Colombia: migrant health guide
Advice and guidance on the health needs of migrant patients from Colombia for healthcare practitioners.
Main messages
If the patient is new to the UK:
- explain to them how the NHS works and their entitlements to healthcare
- discuss how this compares to the healthcare system they’ve been used to
- follow guidance on how to comprehensively assess new migrant patients
- ensure that they are up-to-date with the UK immunisation schedule
- ask about any travel plans the patient may have to visit friends and relatives in their country of origin
Consider screening for hepatitis B, particularly among those who have recently arrived. Colombia has an intermediate prevalence.
Be alert for possible cases of Chagas disease, and refer as appropriate, because there is a risk of chronic Chagas disease in migrants from Colombia.
There is a risk of typhoid infection in Colombia.
There is a high risk of malaria in Colombia.
The prevalence of HTLV is high.
Consider nutritional and metabolic concerns.
Infectious diseases
Immunisation
Ensure that all patients, especially children, are up-to-date with the UK immunisation schedule. See Immunisation collection with complete schedules.
Tuberculosis
There is a low incidence of TB in Colombia (<40 cases/100,000), so:
- routine screening for TB is not required
- consider testing in patients (including children) who show signs and symptoms
- be aware that TB is a notifiable disease
Sexually transmitted infections and HIV
Take a sexual history, and:
- screen for STIs and HIV according to risk as specified in the UK national standards and guidelines
- test all sexually active patients under the age of 25 for chlamydia
Colombia has a low rate of HIV (≤1%), so offer and recommend an HIV test if the patient:
- falls into a high risk group
- is newly registering in a high prevalence area
HTLV
The prevalence of Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) is high. Refer to further HTLV guidance about testing and treatment.
Hepatitis B
Colombia has an intermediate prevalence of hepatitis B, so:
- consider screening for hepatitis B, particularly those who have recently arrived
- offer screening for hepatitis B to all pregnant women during each pregnancy
- immunise appropriately babies born to mothers who are hepatitis B positive, and follow up accordingly
- be aware that the UK has a universal infant immunisation programme for hepatitis B and a selective immunisation programme for higher risk groups
Hepatitis C
Colombia has a higher prevalence of hepatitis C than the UK, so consider screening for hepatitis C if other risk factors apply.
Malaria
There is a high risk of malaria in Colombia, due to P. falciparum and P. vivax., so:
- test any unwell patient who has travelled to or from affected areas of Colombia in the last year
- remember that malaria can be rapidly fatal
Typhoid
There is a risk of typhoid infection in Colombia, so:
- ensure that travellers to Colombia are offered typhoid immunisation and advice on prevention of enteric fever
- remember enteric fever in the differential diagnosis of illness in patients with a recent history of travel to or from Colombia
Helminths
There is a risk of helminth infections in Colombia, including:
- soil transmitted helminthiasis
Chagas
There is a risk of chronic Chagas disease in migrants from Colombia, so:
- be alert for possible cases
- refer as appropriate
Travel plans and advice
Ask opportunistically about any travel plans the patient may have to visit friends and relatives in their country of origin. People who travel to visit friends and relatives (VFR travellers) should visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for overseas travel advice and National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) for country specific travel advice prior to leaving the UK.
Nutritional and metabolic concerns
Anaemia
There is a low risk of anaemia in adults (estimated prevalence is 5 to 20%) and a moderate risk in pre-school children (estimated prevalence is 20 to 40%), so:
- be alert to this possibility in recently arrived migrants, particularly for women and pre-school children
- test as clinically indicated
Vitamin D
Consider the possibility of vitamin D deficiency in people who may be at risk due to:
- darker skin
- those who are not often outdoors
- those who cover up most of their skin when outdoors
Vitamin A
There may be a risk of vitamin A deficiency in Colombia.
Iodine
People from Colombia may be at risk of adverse health consequences due to excessive intake of iodine.
Women’s health
Reproductive health indicators
| Reproductive health indicator | UK | Colombia |
|---|---|---|
| Number of children per woman¹ | 1.7 | 1.8 |
| Use of contraception² | 71.7% | 81% |
¹lifetime average; ²by woman of reproductive age or partner
No data are available on:
- mammography screening rates
- cervical cancer screening rates
Country profile
Health indicators and health care
WHO Global Health Observatory has a summary of health indicators and health care in Colombia.
Culture, politics and history
BBC News and The World Factbook provide background information on the culture, politics and history of Colombia.
Languages
The main language used in Colombia is Spanish (official).
Source: The World Factbook
Religions
| Religion | Population (%) |
|---|---|
| Roman Catholic | 79 |
| Protestant¹ | 14 |
| Other | 2 |
| Unspecified | 5 |
¹includes Pentecostal 6%, mainline Protestant 2%, other 6%
Source: The World Factbook
Migration to the UK
There were over 25,000 people from Colombia living in England and Wales at the time of the 2011 Census.
Source: Office for National Statistics
Last updated 27 August 2021 + show all updates
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Updated country guidance on prevalence of communicable diseases and other health topics.
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First published.