Treatment Outcomes of Tuberculosis Among Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners in Zimbabwe: A Follow-Up Observational Study Using Secondary Data

Dingani Moyo (), Fungai Kavenga, Ronald Thulani Ncube, Florence Moyo, Nathan Chiboyiwa, Andrew Nyambo, Godknows Madziva, Mpokiseng Ncube, Orippa Muzvidziwa, Tafadzwa Mperi, Blessings Chigaraza, Victoria Varaidzo Chizana, Plassey Ropafadzo Chinove, Frank Mudzingwa, Kudzaishe Mutungamiri and Collins Timire
Additional contact information
Dingani Moyo: Baines Occupational Health Services, Harare 024, Zimbabwe
Fungai Kavenga: Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare 024, Zimbabwe
Ronald Thulani Ncube: The Union Zimbabwe Trust, Harare 024, Zimbabwe
Florence Moyo: Baines Occupational Health Services, Harare 024, Zimbabwe
Nathan Chiboyiwa: Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare 024, Zimbabwe
Andrew Nyambo: Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare 024, Zimbabwe
Godknows Madziva: Baines Occupational Health Services, Harare 024, Zimbabwe
Mpokiseng Ncube: Baines Occupational Health Services, Harare 024, Zimbabwe
Orippa Muzvidziwa: Baines Occupational Health Services, Harare 024, Zimbabwe
Tafadzwa Mperi: Baines Occupational Health Services, Harare 024, Zimbabwe
Blessings Chigaraza: Baines Occupational Health Services, Harare 024, Zimbabwe
Victoria Varaidzo Chizana: The Union Zimbabwe Trust, Harare 024, Zimbabwe
Plassey Ropafadzo Chinove: Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare 024, Zimbabwe
Frank Mudzingwa: Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Zimbabwe, Harare 024, Zimbabwe
Kudzaishe Mutungamiri: Jointed Hands Welfare Organization, Gweru 054, Zimbabwe
Collins Timire: Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare 024, Zimbabwe

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 10, 1-10

Abstract: In Zimbabwe, artisanal and small-scale miners (ASMs) are a key vulnerable group with high risk for tuberculosis (TB), HIV, and silicosis. The main purpose of this study was to investigate treatment outcomes of TB among ASMs. We conducted a follow-up observational study using secondary data. We analyzed data from 208 ASMs treated for TB at two occupational health clinics. We found a high treatment success rate of 87%, comparable to the national average for drug-sensitive TB. Unsuccessful outcomes were due to death (5%) and loss to follow-up (7%). Over a quarter of ASMs had unknown HIV status. Our study is the first to document treatment outcomes of TB among ASMs in Zimbabwe. Encouragingly, this study demonstrates the possibility of achieving good TB treatment outcomes even among highly mobile populations like ASMs. Further research is needed to analyze leakages across the whole TB patient pathway among ASMs. Additionally, addressing the high rate of unknown HIV statuses among ASMs is crucial to further improve overall TB treatment outcomes in this population.

Keywords: TB treatment outcomes; artisanal and small-scale miners; gold mining; key population and vulnerable population (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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