O10.5 - Sexual and reproductive health among migrant peoples in transit through Darién, Panama: results from a rapid epidemiological study

Background Since 2018, there has been exponential increase in migrant peoples transiting by foot through one of the most dangerous sections of Panama’s Darién Forest (DF), in route to North America. Sexual and reproductive health among this population is poorly understood. This rapid epidemiological study aimed to describe SRH among migrant peoples in transit through the DF.

Methods In this cross-sectional descriptive study, migrant men and women were randomly selected at a Migrant Reception Station in Darién during January 2022. Participation included: a self-applied questionnaire (≥18years), clinical screening (≥12years); syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B testing (≥12years).

Results 141 people participated in the study: 69 men/55 women in the questionnaire, 70 men/ 51 women in clinical screening, and 78 men/63 women in syphilis/HIV/hepatitis B testing. Sexual intercourse in past month was self-reported by 26.1% of men and 36.4% of women. Among those whose last partner was casual, this sex was condomless for 42.9% of men and 80.0% of women. In clinical screening, 5.7% of men and 58.8% of women reported reproductive tract infection symptom. No prior HIV testing was reported by 32.7% of men and 18.2% of women. 20.0% of women were pregnant; two women did not know of their pregnancy prior to testing. Of pregnant women, 72.7% had one sex partner in the past year, and 27.3% had 2 or more partners. Among men, 1.3% tested positive for HIV and 2.6% Treponemal seroreactive; among women, 3.2% tested positive for HIV and 3.2% Treponemal seroreactive; 5.3% of men and 4.9% of women tested positive for HBsAg, all without positive anti-HBc.



Conclusions Results indicate a relatively low prevalence of sexual intercourse in the past month, low condom use with casual partners, and high prevalence of reproductive tract symptoms. There is a need to implement targeted sexual health and STI screening and treatment for migrant populations in transit.