| Autor: |
Moyo D; Baines Occupational Health Services, Harare 024, Zimbabwe.; Occupational Health Division, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa.; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, The National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo 029, Zimbabwe.; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Midlands State University, P Bag 9005, Gweru 054, Zimbabwe., Ncube R; The Union Zimbabwe Trust, Harare 024, Zimbabwe., Kavenga F; Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare 024, Zimbabwe., Chikwava L; Baines Occupational Health Services, Harare 024, Zimbabwe., Mapuranga T; The Union Zimbabwe Trust, Harare 024, Zimbabwe., Chiboyiwa N; Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare 024, Zimbabwe.; Family Medicine, Global and Public Health Unit, Department of Primary Health Care Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare 024, Zimbabwe., Chimunhu C; Jointed Hands Welfare Organization, Gweru 054, Zimbabwe., Mudzingwa F; Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Zimbabwe, Harare 054, Zimbabwe., Muzvidziwa O; Baines Occupational Health Services, Harare 024, Zimbabwe., Ncube P; Baines Occupational Health Services, Harare 024, Zimbabwe., Mando TC; Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare 024, Zimbabwe.; Family Medicine, Global and Public Health Unit, Department of Primary Health Care Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare 024, Zimbabwe., Moyo F; Baines Occupational Health Services, Harare 024, Zimbabwe.; Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Zimbabwe Open University, Harare 024, Zimbabwe., Chigaraza B; Baines Occupational Health Services, Harare 024, Zimbabwe., Masvingo H; Baines Occupational Health Services, Harare 024, Zimbabwe., Timire C; Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare 024, Zimbabwe. |
| Abstrakt: |
Artisanal and small-scale mining is characterized by an excessive exposure to silica-containing dust, overcrowding, poor living conditions and limited access to primary health services. This poses a risk to tuberculosis, HIV infection and silicosis. The main purpose of the study is to evaluate the burden of tuberculosis, HIV and silicosis among artisanal and small-scale miners. We conducted a cross sectional study on 3821 artisanal and small-scale miners. We found a high burden of silicosis (19%), tuberculosis (6.8%) and HIV (18%) in a relatively young population, with the mean age of 35.5 years. Men were 1.8 times more likely to be diagnosed with silicosis compared to women, adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR = 1.75 (95% CI: 1.02-2.74)]. Artisanal and small-scale miners who were living with HIV were 1.25 times more likely to be diagnosed with silicosis compared to those who were negative, [aPR = 1.25 (1.00-1.57)]. The risk of silicosis increased with both duration as a miner and severity of exposure to silica dust. The risk of tuberculosis increased with the duration as a miner. Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a high burden of TB, silicosis and HIV among artisanal and small-scale miners. Multi-sectoral and innovative interventions are required to stem this triple epidemic in Zimbabwe. |
