Benin

Key messages for primary care practitioners

• If the patient is new to the UK explain to them how the NHS operates and discuss how this compares to the healthcare system they've been used to.
• Screen all new entrants (including children) from this country for TB.
• All patients from this country should be offered and recommended an HIV test.
• Sexually active individuals should be offered a full sexual health screen and safer sex health promotion advice.
• This country has a high prevalence of hepatitis B. Consider screening for hepatitis B, particularly among those who have recently arrived.
• There is a high risk of malaria in this country.
• Ensure all patients are up to date with the UK immunisation schedule.
• There is a high risk of anaemia in people from this country. Be alert to this possibility in recently arrived migrants, particularly for women and pre-school children, and test as clinically indicated.
• Consider vitamin D deficiency in individuals who may be at risk as a result of their diet, skin colour or lack of sun exposure.
• There is a high risk of vitamin A deficiency in this country.
   

Key Facts

Map courtesy of
U.S. Central Intelligence Agency

Country profiles

For a summary of key health indicators and health care please see

WHO Benin [external link]

For background information on the country, its government and its people please see

BBC Benin [external link]

and

World Factbook Benin [external link]

Languages*

French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)

See language interpretation

Religions*

Christian 42.8% (Catholic 27.1%, Celestial 5%, Methodist 3.2%, other Protestant 2.2%, other 5.3%), Muslim 24.4%, Vodoun 17.3%, other 15.5% (2002 census)

Migration to the UK

At the time of the 2001 Census there were over 200 people from this country living in the UK.
 

*Source: World Factbook