Migration and Its Hidden Risks: Sexually Transmited Infections

Abstract

Migration and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are considered a significant public health problem due to the increased risk of transmission and the burden of such diseases among populations considered vulnerable. The objective of this article was to analyze, through a literature review, the relationship between migration and risks associated with STIs, taking into account structural and social factors as well as access to health services. The findings demonstrate that the migrant population is highly vulnerable to contracting STIs, due to barriers to accessing health services, social inequality, violence, and a lack of sex education. STIs affect millions of people globally; they are often asymptomatic, making timely detection and treatment more difficult. Various studies show high rates of STIs among migrants, as well as risky sexual behaviors, low condom use, multiple sexual partners, and limited adherence to treatment. Women, transgender individuals, and sex workers face elevated risks of contracting an STI, linked to violence, human trafficking, and social exclusion. In border regions, these risks are exacerbated by permissive social dynamics and constant population mobility. Therefore, migration increases vulnerability to STIs through a multifaceted phenomenon. In this situation, it is essential to implement comprehensive, intercultural, and human rights-based
strategies that include sex education, equitable access to health services, timely diagnosis and treatment, as well as binational public policies that reduce inequalities and protect the health of migrant populations.