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“It Is Like We Are Living in a Different World” : Health Inequity in Communities Surrounding Industrial Mining Sites in Burkina Faso, Mozambique, and Tanzania

Author

Listed:
  • Andrea Leuenberger

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
    University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Olga Cambaco

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
    University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
    Manhiça Health Research Centre, Maputo C.P. 1929, Mozambique)

  • Hyacinthe R. Zabré

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
    University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
    Research Institute of Health Sciences, Ouagadougou B.P. 7192, Burkina Faso)

  • Isaac Lyatuu

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
    University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
    Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box, Dar es Salaam 78 373, Tanzania)

  • Jürg Utzinger

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
    University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Khátia Munguambe

    (Manhiça Health Research Centre, Maputo C.P. 1929, Mozambique
    Faculty of Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo C.P. 257, Mozambique)

  • Sonja Merten

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
    University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Mirko S. Winkler

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
    University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland)

Abstract

Background: Health equity features prominently in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, yet there are wide disparities in health between and within countries. In settings of natural resource extraction (e.g., industrial mines), the health of surrounding communities is affected through myriad changes in the physical, social, and economic environment. How changes triggered by such projects translate into health inequities is poorly understood. Methods: This qualitative study explores potential layers of inequities by systematically coding perceived inequities of affected communities. Drawing on the framework method, we thematically analyzed data from 83 focus group discussions, which enrolled 791 participants from 10 study sites in Burkina Faso, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Results: Participants perceived inequities related to their individual characteristics, intermediate factors acting on the community level, and structural conditions. Due to environmental pollution and land loss, participants were concerned about unsecured livelihoods. Positive impacts, such as job opportunities at the mine, remained scarce for local communities and were claimed not to be equally distributed among community members. Conclusion: Extractive industries bear considerable risks to widen existing health gaps. In order to create equal opportunities among affected populations, the wider determinants of health must be considered more explicitly in the licensing process of resource extraction projects.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Leuenberger & Olga Cambaco & Hyacinthe R. Zabré & Isaac Lyatuu & Jürg Utzinger & Khátia Munguambe & Sonja Merten & Mirko S. Winkler, 2021. "“It Is Like We Are Living in a Different World” : Health Inequity in Communities Surrounding Industrial Mining Sites in Burkina Faso, Mozambique, and Tanzania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-22, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11015-:d:660505
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    References listed on IDEAS

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