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

Dingani Moyo (), Fungai Kavenga, Ronald Thulani Ncube, Farai Peter Macheri, Tariro Christwish Mando, Florence Moyo, Orippa Muzvidziwa, Mpokiseng Ncube, Hellen Masvingo, Blessings Chigaraza, Andrew Nyambo, Albert Mangwanya, Rosemary Ncube Mwale, Trust Mazadza, Tinashe Magidi, Gerald Benny, Chamunorwa Ndudzo, Victoria Varaidzo Kandido, Kudzaishe Mutungamiri and Collins Timire
Additional contact information
Dingani Moyo: Baines Occupational Health Services, Harare P.O. Box 1008, Zimbabwe
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
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
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

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 23, 1-11

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.

Keywords: occupational exposure; mineworker; Zimbabwe; silico-tuberculosis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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