Breaking Barriers: Mi-Health Europe Contributes to New Study on PrEP Access for Migrant Women

Publicado: 29th Junho 2026

Mi‑Health Europe is proud to have contributed to a new study published in HIV Medicine, the official journal of the British HIV Association. This multi‑country research marks an important achievement, shining a spotlight on the barriers migrant women face in accessing HIV prevention. For Mi‑Health, it represents both recognition of our expertise and a call to action for more inclusive health policies across Europe.

What is the challenge?

Pre‑exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a proven tool for preventing HIV. Yet migrant women who are considered one of the groups vulnerable to HIV continue to face inequities in awareness, access and retention. The study, conducted across 11 European countries (see Figure 1), explored how legal status, sex work engagement and national health financing policies shape these disparities.

The results reveal significant gaps between PrEP awareness, intention and uptake, highlighting the urgent need for community‑led HIV prevention models and inclusive health policies that decouple PrEP eligibility from documentation status.

Here is what we found and why it matters for the future of HIV prevention in Europe

1. A gap between wanting PrEP and using it

Many migrant women are aware of PrEP and interested in using it, but far fewer are able to access and stay on it. This gap points to structural barriers, not a lack of demand.

2. Legal status shapes the journey but not in the way you would expect

Undocumented women and asylum seekers were more likely to be aware of PrEP, but awareness alone did not guarantee access.

3. Sex Workers Show Higher PrEP Uptake

Migrant women engaged in sex work had over 5 times higher odds of current PrEP use compared with women not engaged in sex work. This likely reflects targeted outreach and community based prevention programmes reaching this group more effectively than others.

4. Reimbursement Policy Makes a Measurable Difference

Migrant women in countries offering full PrEP reimbursement were nearly 5 times more likely to be currently using PrEP than those in countries without full coverage. This is one of the clearest, most policy actionable findings for policymakers.

5. High Discontinuation

Among women who had ever used PrEP, discontinuation rates were high, highlighting that getting women started on PrEP is only half the challenge. Retention and long term support are just as critical.

6. Condoms remain the preferred method, but interest in PrEP is real

Condoms were still the most preferred prevention method overall, followed by female condoms and daily oral PrEP.

What does this mean for policy and practice?

The findings underscore that closing the PrEP gap requires more than awareness campaigns. Simplifying healthcare pathways regardless of residency status, expanding reimbursement, and investing in retention support are critical steps. Without these, women who want PrEP will continue to be left behind.

Our commitment at Mi-Health

By contributing to this research, Mi-Health Europe reinforces its commitment to advancing equitable HIV prevention strategies, supporting migrant women, and promoting evidence‑based policy change across Europe.

Conclusion

This publication is more than data, it is a call to action. For Mi‑Health Europe, it strengthens our role in shaping inclusive HIV prevention policies. For migrant women, it highlights both the challenges and opportunities to ensure no one is left behind in the fight against HIV.