Chile: migrant health guide
Advice and guidance on the health needs of migrant patients from Chile 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
The prevalence of human T-lymphotropic virus(HTLV) is high.
Due to a low prevalence, ascertain any risk factors for hepatitis B infection that may indicate the need for screening.
There is a risk of typhoid infection.
Be alert for possible cases of Chagas disease, and refer as appropriate, because there is a risk of chronic Chagas disease in migrants.
Consider nutritional and metabolic concerns.
Infectious diseases
Immunisation
Ensure that all patients, especially children, are up-to-date with the UK immunisation schedule.
Tuberculosis (TB)
There is a low incidence of TB (less than 40 cases per 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
There is a low rate of HIV (less than or equal to 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
There is a low prevalence of hepatitis B, so:
- 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 a universal infant immunisation programme for hepatitis B and a selective immunisation programme for higher risk groups
Hepatitis C
The prevalence of hepatitis C is higher than the UK, so consider screening for hepatitis C if other risk factors apply.
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, Commonwealth and Development Office for overseas travel advice and National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) for country specific travel advice prior to leaving the UK.
Typhoid
There is a risk of typhoid infection, so:
- ensure that travellers 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 this country
Chagas disease
There is a risk of chronic Chagas disease in migrants, so:
- be alert for possible cases
- refer as appropriate
Women’s health
Reproductive health indicators
| Reproductive health indicator | UK | Chile |
|---|---|---|
| Number of children per woman (lifetime average) | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| Use of contraception (by woman of reproductive age or partner) | 71.7% | 76.3% |
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%), in Chile, 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.
Iodine
There may be a risk of risk of adverse health consequences due to excessive intake of iodine
Country profile
Health indicators and health care
WHO Global Health Observatory has a summary of health indicators and health care in Chile.
Culture, politics and history
BBC News and The World Factbook provide background information on the culture, politics and history of Chile.
Languages
| Language | Population (%) (2012 estimates) |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 99.5 |
| English | 10.2 |
| Other | 2.3 |
| Indigenous (includes Mapudungun, Aymara, Quechua and Rapa Nui) | 1 |
| Unspecified | 0.2 |
To note, the total is more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census.
Source: The World Factbook.
Religions
| Religion | Population (%) (2018) |
|---|---|
| Roman Catholic | 60 |
| Evangelical | 18 |
| None | 17 |
| atheist or agnostic | 4 |
Source: The World Factbook.
Migration to the UK
There were over 7,800 people from Chile living in England and Wales at the time of the 2021 Census.
Source: Office for National Statistics
Updates to this page
Published 31 July 2014Last updated 13 April 2023 + show all updates
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The vitamin D deficiency risk groups and the migration to UK statistics have been updated.
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Updated advice on testing for hep B, based on current prevalence in Chile.
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First published.