Study Report: Immigrants in Estonia: a risk assessment to involve the key group into HIV and co-infections services”

Migration affects the epidemiology of infectious diseases, including HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and viral hepatitis. For example, 44% of those diagnosed with HIV in the European Union/European Economic Area in 2019 were migrants. Migrants face barriers to accessing and adhering to care, including low self-perceived risk of TB, stigma, and fear of discrimination at health services. This should be considered in the provision of services. In 2020, more than 16,000 people immigrated to Estonia. So far, migrants have played almost no role in Estonian HIV epidemic as well as in the burden of co-infections. The aim of the study was to assess the risk-behaviors related to HIV and co-infections among different sub-populations of migrants in Estonia as well as map their needs and identify the gaps in existing prevention, social and health care services.