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Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners regarding Tuberculosis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, and Silicosis in Zimbabwe

Author

Listed:
  • Dingani Moyo

    (Baines Occupational Health Services, Harare P.O. Box 1008, Zimbabwe
    Faculty of Medicine, National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo P.O. Box AC 939, Zimbabwe
    School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2017, South Africa)

  • Fungai Kavenga

    (Ministry of Health and Childcare, Harare P.O. Box CY 1122, Zimbabwe)

  • Ronald Thulani Ncube

    (Union Zimbabwe Trust, Harare, Zimbabwe)

  • Farai Peter Macheri

    (Ministry of Health and Childcare, Harare P.O. Box CY 1122, Zimbabwe
    Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Midlands State University, Gweru P.O. Box 9055, Zimbabwe)

  • Tariro Christwish Mando

    (Ministry of Health and Childcare, Harare P.O. Box CY 1122, Zimbabwe)

  • Florence Moyo

    (Baines Occupational Health Services, Harare P.O. Box 1008, Zimbabwe
    Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Zimbabwe Open University, Harare P.O. Box 1119, Zimbabwe)

  • Orippa Muzvidziwa

    (Baines Occupational Health Services, Harare P.O. Box 1008, Zimbabwe)

  • Mpokiseng Ncube

    (Baines Occupational Health Services, Harare P.O. Box 1008, Zimbabwe)

  • Hellen Masvingo

    (Baines Occupational Health Services, Harare P.O. Box 1008, Zimbabwe)

  • Blessings Chigaraza

    (Baines Occupational Health Services, Harare P.O. Box 1008, Zimbabwe)

  • Andrew Nyambo

    (Ministry of Health and Childcare, Harare P.O. Box CY 1122, Zimbabwe)

  • Albert Mangwanya

    (Ministry of Health and Childcare, Harare P.O. Box CY 1122, Zimbabwe)

  • Rosemary Ncube Mwale

    (Ministry of Health and Childcare, Harare P.O. Box CY 1122, Zimbabwe)

  • Trust Mazadza

    (Ministry of Health and Childcare, Harare P.O. Box CY 1122, Zimbabwe)

  • Tinashe Magidi

    (Ministry of Health and Childcare, Harare P.O. Box CY 1122, Zimbabwe)

  • Gerald Benny

    (Ministry of Health and Childcare, Harare P.O. Box CY 1122, Zimbabwe)

  • Chamunorwa Ndudzo

    (Ministry of Health and Childcare, Harare P.O. Box CY 1122, Zimbabwe)

  • Victoria Varaidzo Kandido

    (Union Zimbabwe Trust, Harare, Zimbabwe)

  • Kudzaishe Mutungamiri

    (Jointed Hands Welfare Organization, Gweru P.O. Box 1945, Zimbabwe)

  • Collins Timire

    (Ministry of Health and Childcare, Harare P.O. Box CY 1122, Zimbabwe)

Abstract

In Zimbabwe, artisanal and small-scale miners (ASMs) have a high prevalence of tuberculosis (TB), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and silicosis. Previous studies on ASMs utilised programme data, and it was not possible to understand reasons for the high prevalence of these comorbidities. We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of ASMs regarding TB, HIV, and silicosis. We enrolled a convenience sample of 652 ASMs. Their mean (standard deviation) age was 34.2 (10.8) years. There were 602 (92%) men and over 75% had attained secondary education. A total of 504 (80%) of the ASMs knew that TB is a curable disease, and 564 (87%) knew that they were at higher risk of TB than the general population. However, they were less likely to know that HIV increases the risk of TB disease, 340 (52%), with only 226 (35%) who perceived the risk of TB infection to be high among ASMs. Only 564 (59%) were aware that silica dust causes permanent and incurable lung diseases. Six hundred and twenty (97%) showed a positive attitude towards healthcare when they were sick, and 97% were willing to use special respirators to prevent dust inhalation. On practices, only 159 (30%) reported consistent use of either cloth or respirators to prevent dust inhalation. Three hundred and five (49%) ASMs reported consistent use of condoms outside their homes and 323 (50%) reported use of water to suppress dust. Only 480 (75%) of ASMs sought healthcare services when sick. ASMs cited challenges of accessing healthcare services due to lack of money to pay for healthcare (50%), long distances to clinics (17%), and the shortage of medicines at clinics (11%). Effective control of TB, silicosis, and HIV among ASMs requires addressing the identified knowledge gaps and barriers that are faced by ASMs in accessing personal protective equipment and healthcare services. This will require multisector collaboration and the involvement of ASMs in co-designing a package of healthcare services that are tailored for them.

Suggested Citation

  • Dingani Moyo & Fungai Kavenga & Ronald Thulani Ncube & Farai Peter Macheri & Tariro Christwish Mando & Florence Moyo & Orippa Muzvidziwa & Mpokiseng Ncube & Hellen Masvingo & Blessings Chigaraza & And, 2023. "Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners regarding Tuberculosis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, and Silicosis in Zimbabwe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(23), pages 1-11, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:23:p:7116-:d:1288925
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rabia Abeid Khaji & Venance Muzuka Kabwebwe & Annasia Goodluck Mringo & Thomas Faustine Nkwabi & Jacob Bigio & Christina Mergenthaler & Nathaly Aguilera Vasquez & Tripti Pande & Md Toufiq Rahman & Fre, 2021. "Factors Affecting Motivation among Key Populations to Engage with Tuberculosis Screening and Testing Services in Northwest Tanzania: A Mixed-Methods Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-14, September.
    2. Mabe, Franklin N., 2023. "Small-scale mining policies in Ghana: Miners’ knowledge, attitudes and practices," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PA).
    3. Dingani Moyo & Ronald Ncube & Fungai Kavenga & Lilian Chikwava & Tawanda Mapuranga & Nathan Chiboyiwa & Chipo Chimunhu & Frank Mudzingwa & Orippa Muzvidziwa & Petronella Ncube & Tariro Christwish Mand, 2022. "The Triple Burden of Tuberculosis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Silicosis among Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners in Zimbabwe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-14, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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