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suNational policies for delivering tuberculosis, HIV and hepatitis B and C virus infection services for migrants among Member States of the WHO European Region.

Authors :
Baggaley, Rebecca F
Nazareth, Joshua
Divall, Pip
Pan, Daniel
Martin, Christopher A
Volik, Mikhail
Seguy, Nicole S
Yedilbayev, Askar
Reinap, Marge
Vovc, Elena
Mozalevskis, Antons
Dadu, Andrei
Waagensen, Elisabeth
Kruja, Krista
Sy, Tyrone Reden
Nellums, Laura
Pareek, Manish
Source :
Journal of Travel Medicine; Jan2023, Vol. 30 Issue 1, p1-13, 13p
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

Rationale for review.Migrants to the WHO European Region are disproportionately affected by infections including tuberculosis, HIV and hepatitis B and C (HBV/HCV), compared with the host population. There are inequities in the accessibility and quality of health services available to refugees and migrants in the Region. This has consequences for health outcomes and will ultimately impact the ability to meet Regional infection elimination targets. We reviewed academic and grey literature to identify national policies and guidelines for tuberculosis/HIV/HBV/HCV specific to migrants in Member States of the WHO European Region, and identify: a) evidence informing policy and b) barriers and facilitators to policy implementation.<bold>Key Findings: </bold>Relatively few primary national policy/guideline documents were identified that related to migrants and tuberculosis (14 of 53 Member States (26%), HIV (nā€‰=ā€‰15, 28%) and HBV/HCV (nā€‰=ā€‰3, 6%), which often did not align with WHO recommendations and for some countries, violated migrants' human rights. We found extreme heterogeneity in the implementation of WHO- and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control-advocated policies and recommendations on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care of TB/HIV/HBV/HCV infection in migrants across Member States of the WHO European Region.There is great heterogeneity in implementation of WHO- and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control-advocated policies on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care of TB/HIV/HBV/HCV infection in migrants across Member States in the Region.<bold>Conclusions/recommendations: </bold>More transparent and accessible reporting of national policies and guidelines are required, together with the evidence base upon which these policy decisions are based. Political engagement is essential to drive changes in national legislation to ensure equitable and universal access to diagnosis and care for infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
11951982
Volume :
30
Issue :
1
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Journal of Travel Medicine
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
161993647
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1093/jtm/taac136