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Cambaco O, Cossa H, Farnham A, Macete E, Winkler MS, Gross K, Munguambe K. Applying the photovoice method with adolescents in mining areas in rural Mozambique: critical reflections and lessons learned. Glob Health Action 2024; 17:2305506. [PMID: 38323354 PMCID: PMC10851835 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2024.2305506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
There is a recognised need for innovative methods to elicit the perspective of adolescents on public health issues, particularly when addressing sensitive topics such as the impact of mining projects on their health. Participatory approaches such as "photovoice" allow for deep engagement of vulnerable and marginalised populations, including adolescents. However, few existing studies have used the photovoice method to reflect on issues related to the environment and its impact on public health. To date, no studies have been found that have used photovoice to gain insight into adolescents' perspectives in mining areas. In this paper, we discuss the application of the photovoice method to understand adolescents' perceptions about the impact of mining on their health and well-being in rural areas in Mozambique. The study was conducted in northern and central Mozambique. Photovoice was successfully integrated into eight focus group discussions with adolescent girls and boys aged 15 to 17 years. Several lessons for guiding future research were learned. First, it provided an understanding of the perceived impacts of mining on their health and well-being. Second, photovoice promoted active engagement and interest in the study by the adolescents. Finally, compared to its ability to capture perceptions of physical and environmental aspects affecting adolescents' well-being, the method was less straightforward in revealing their concerns regarding social, relational and community aspects that are less tangible. Programs can make use of photovoice to address health issues without setting adolescents' views and priorities aside, allowing them to influence health decisions on issues that are meaningful to them. Future studies should explore strategies to minimise the role of the power dynamics that affect the engagement and contribution of adolescents in advocating for necessary and meaningful changes. Additionally, it is important to investigate how health programs and policies can help to reduce the impact of existing inequalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Cambaco
- Epidemiology and Public Health Department, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Population Studies Unit, Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Hermínio Cossa
- Population Studies Unit, Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Andrea Farnham
- Department of Public Health & Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eusébio Macete
- Population Studies Unit, Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Mirko S. Winkler
- Epidemiology and Public Health Department, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Karin Gross
- Epidemiology and Public Health Department, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Khátia Munguambe
- Population Studies Unit, Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
- Community Health Department, Faculty of Medicine, University Eduardo Mondlane (UEM), Maputo, Mozambique
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2
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Adu Sarfo E, Tweneboah R. Mineral wealth paradox: health challenges and environmental risks in African resource-rich areas. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:724. [PMID: 38448855 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18137-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Africa is blessed with vast arable land and enriched with valuable natural resources encompassing both renewable (like water, forests, and fisheries) and non-renewable (such as minerals, coal, gas, and oil). Under the right conditions, a natural resource boom should serve as an important driver for growth, development, and the transition from cottage industry to factory output. However, despite its wealth, Africa is often associated with the notion of a resource curse. Negative outcomes are often linked with mineral wealth. This paper investigates the causes of adverse health outcomes in resource-rich regions. The study provides empirical support for the natural resource curse with particular emphasis on the environmental health risks in Africa. We explore the multifaceted connections among mineral deposits, environmental risks, conflict events and population dynamics, shedding light on the complexities of resource-rich areas. RESULTS We amalgamate georeferenced data pertaining to 22 specific mineral deposits with information on the prevalence of reliance on compromised infrastructures at a spatial resolution of 0.5∘ × 0 . 5 ∘ for all of Africa between 2000 and 2017. Through comprehensive econometric analysis of environmental health risk factors, including reliance on contaminated water sources, open defecation, unimproved sanitation, particulate matter concentration, and carbon concentration, we uncover the intricate pathways through which mineral deposits impact public health. Our findings revealed the significant role of in-migration in mediating environmental health risks. Moreover, we found that the activities of extractive companies amplify certain environmental risks including reliance on unimproved sanitation and practices and particulate matter concentration. Conflict events emerge as a key mediator across all environmental health risks, underlining the far-reaching consequences of instability and violence on both local communities and the environment. CONCLUSION The study contributes to the discourse on sustainable development by unraveling the nuanced associations between mineral wealth and health challenges. By drawing attention to the intricate web of factors at play, we provide a foundation for targeted interventions that address the unique environmental and health challenges faced by mineral-rich communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Adu Sarfo
- Faculty of Economic Sciences, National Research University Higher School of Economics, 20 Myasnitskaya Street, 101000, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Youngstown State University, 1 University Plaza, OH 44555, Ohio, USA
| | - Rabbi Tweneboah
- Faculty of Economic Sciences, National Research University Higher School of Economics, 20 Myasnitskaya Street, 101000, Moscow, Russia.
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Himmelsbach GS, Zabré HR, Leuenberger A, Knoblauch AM, Brugger F, Winkler MS. Exploring the Impact of Mining on Community Health and Health Service Delivery: Perceptions of Key Informants Involved in Gold Mining Communities in Burkina Faso. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:7167. [PMID: 38131718 PMCID: PMC10743287 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20247167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Sub-Saharan Africa is rich in natural resources but also faces widespread poverty. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals brought increased attention to resource extraction projects, emphasizing their development potential in extraction regions. While mining companies are required to conduct environmental impact assessments, their effect on the project-affected communities' health mostly lacks systematic management, and their consideration of community perspectives is insufficient. Between March and May 2019, qualitative research was conducted at three industrial gold mines in Burkina Faso. Thirty-six participants, including community leaders, healthcare providers, and mining officials, were interviewed through key informant interviews about their perceptions on the impacts of mining operations on health, health determinants, and health service delivery. Disparities in perceptions were a key focus of the analysis. Mining officials reported mainly positive effects, while healthcare providers and community leaders described enhancing and adverse health impacts without clear trends observed regarding the extent of the impacts on health determinants. The perception of predominantly positive health impacts by mining officials represents a potential risk for insufficient acknowledgement of stakeholders' concerns and mining-related effects on community health in affected populations. Overall, this study enhances comprehension of the complex interplay between mining operations and health, emphasizing the need for comprehensive assessments, stakeholder involvement, and sustainable practices to mitigate negative impacts and promote the well-being of mining communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianna S. Himmelsbach
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; (G.S.H.); (A.M.K.)
- University of Basel, P.O. Box 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hyacinthe R. Zabré
- Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, African Union Commission, Roosevelt Street W21 K19, Addis Ababa 3243, Ethiopia;
| | | | - Astrid M. Knoblauch
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; (G.S.H.); (A.M.K.)
- University of Basel, P.O. Box 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fritz Brugger
- ETH Zürich, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Mirko S. Winkler
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; (G.S.H.); (A.M.K.)
- University of Basel, P.O. Box 4001 Basel, Switzerland
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4
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Ahmad N, Usman M, Ahmad HR, Sabir M, Farooqi ZUR, Shehzad MT. Environmental implications of phosphate-based fertilizer industrial waste and its management practices. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:1326. [PMID: 37845569 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11958-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
During the green revolution in the mid-twentieth century, the consumption of inorganic phosphorous and phosphate-based fertilizers (P-fertilizers) in the developing world skyrocketed, resulting in a proliferation of P-fertilizer industries. Phosphate-based fertilizer industries are ranked among the most environment-polluting industries. The worldwide phosphorus market, which was 68.5 million metric tons in 2020, is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.5% to 81 million metric tons by 2027. The release of untreated hazardous pollutants from these fertilizer industries into the soil, water, and atmosphere has resulted in severe environmental health issues. Excessive surface runoff of phosphorus from agricultural fields and its deposition in water promote the growth of algae and macrophytes and lower dissolved oxygen concentration through eutrophication, which is detrimental to aquatic life. Fluorides (F-) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) and/or heavy metals (potentially toxic elements, PTEs) are also detected in the emissions from these fertilizer industries. The main solid waste generated from the phospho-gypsum plant produced up to 5 tons of di-hydrogen phosphate (H2PO4), including PTEs and radioactive substances. Phosphates and fluorenes from these industries are usually disposed of as sludge in storage ponds or trash piles. Humans inhaling poisonous gases released from the P-fertilizer industries can develop hepatic failure, autoimmune diseases, pulmonary disorders, and other health problems. The objectives of this review are to provide guidelines for eliminating the bottleneck pollutions that occur from the phosphate-based fertilizer industries and explore the management practices for its green development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noman Ahmad
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Usman
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development On Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, People's Republic of China
| | - Hamaad Raza Ahmad
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Sabir
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan
| | - Zia Ur Rahman Farooqi
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tahir Shehzad
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan.
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Da Luz Scherf E, Viana da Silva MV. Brazil's Yanomami health disaster: addressing the public health emergency requires advancing criminal accountability. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1166167. [PMID: 37265517 PMCID: PMC10229808 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1166167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
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Kalel ZS, Gulis G, Aringazina AM. Implementation of Health Impact Assessment in the Healthcare System of the Republic of Kazakhstan. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2335. [PMID: 36767699 PMCID: PMC9915209 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The Health Impact Assessment (hereinafter referred to as HIA) is an effective method for predicting potential health impacts from decisions. Little is known about the implementation of the HIA in the Republic of Kazakhstan (further, RK). In addition, the Russian language literature has not yet been reviewed in terms of HIA-related knowledge. By conducting a literature review of enabling factors, including Russian language literature, on the implementation of the HIA and studying governance systems in RK, we aim to suggest an implementation process to implement the HIA in RK. After careful analysis of the governance system, we suggest set up of a HIA support unit under the National Scientific Center for Health Development and discuss the possible benefits. The proposed center should guide the implementation of the HIA in RK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhan S. Kalel
- Caspian International School of Medicine, Caspian University, 521 Seifullin Street, Almaty 050000, Kazakhstan
| | - Gabriel Gulis
- Unit for Health Promotion Research, University of Southern Denmark, Degnevej 14, Esbjerg 6700, Denmark
- Olomouc University Social Health Institute OUSHI, Palacky University Olomouc, Katerinska 653/17, 77900 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Altyn M. Aringazina
- Caspian International School of Medicine, Caspian University, 521 Seifullin Street, Almaty 050000, Kazakhstan
- AlmaU School of Health Sciences, Almaty Management University, 227 Rozybakiev Street, 050060 Almaty, Kazakhstan
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Hegde S, Garg A, Murray-Rust P, Mietchen D. Mining the literature for ethics statements: A step towards standardizing research ethics. RESEARCH IDEAS AND OUTCOMES 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/rio.8.e94685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethical aspects of research continue to gain attention, be that in the process of proposing and planning research or performing, documenting or publishing it. One of the ways in which this trend manifests itself is the increasingly common addition of ethics statements to publications in fields like biomedicine, psychology or ethnography. Such ethics statements in publications provide the reader with a window into some of the practical yet typically hidden aspects of research ethics. As more and more publications are becoming available in full text and in machine readable formats through repositories like Europe PubMed Central, we propose to mine the literature for ethics statements and to extract information about the various aspects of research ethics that they address. The more standardized these statements are, the better the mined materials can be converted into structured and queryable information that can in turn be used to inform efforts towards higher levels of standardization in research ethics. This paper sketches out the motivation for such mining and outlines some methodological approaches that could be leveraged towards this end.
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Barnea R, Tur-Sinai A, Levtzion-Korach O, Weiss Y, Tal O. Patient preferences and choices as a reflection of trust-A cluster analysis comparing postsurgical perceptions in a private and a public hospital. Health Expect 2022; 25:2340-2354. [PMID: 35833265 PMCID: PMC9615048 DOI: 10.1111/hex.13487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Active participation of patients in managing their medical treatment is a major component of the patient empowerment process and may contribute to better clinical outcomes. Patient perceptions and preferences affect the patient–physician encounter in a variety of dimensions, such as patient autonomy, freedom of choice and trust in the healthcare system. The Israeli healthcare system is mostly publicly funded, with additional private healthcare services for surgery and other medical treatments. The aim of this study was to compare the perceptions and preferences of patients in the public and private hospitals in Israel. Methods A cross‐sectional study among 545 individuals who had surgical procedures at two hospitals in Israel (one public and one private). A structured questionnaire comprising 23 items was used to collect perceptions via personal telephone interviews. The responses were categorized into five clusters and compared by type of health services provider (public vs. private) and sociodemographic characteristics (gender, age and education level). Results A hierarchical cluster analysis methodology identified five conceptual groups: trust, concern towards medical errors, dialogue between medical staff and the patient/patient's family, confidentiality and staff bias towards more informed patients, or those with supportive families. Four main themes that highlight patients' preferences were found: physical conditions, personal empowerment and perceived autonomy, patient experience and patient–provider encounter communication. Significant differences between the private and the public healthcare systems were found in four clusters: trust and patient care, patient's concerns, the extent of explanation and medical staff's commitment. Differences secondary to sociodemographic parameters were noticed: patients treated at the private hospital scored significantly higher items of trust, medical staff caring and the importance of choosing their treating surgeon, while patients treated at the public hospital scored higher staff commitment to the patient than those treated at the private hospital. Conclusions The study revealed the perceptions underlying the decisions of patients to undergo surgical procedures in public or private hospitals. Mutual learning could pave the way to better patient–physician encounters. Patient or Public Contribution Patients from the two hospitals were involved in this study by responding to the questionnaire. The data presented is based on the patient's responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Royi Barnea
- Assuta Health Services Research Institute, Assuta Medical Centers, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,School of Health Systems Management, Netanya Academic College, Netanya, Israel
| | - Aviad Tur-Sinai
- Department of Health Systems Management, The Max Stern Yezreel Valley College, Yezreel Valley, Israel.,School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | | | - Yossi Weiss
- Assuta Health Services Research Institute, Assuta Medical Centers, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Orna Tal
- Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh), Zerifin, Israel.,Israeli Center for Emerging Technologies (ICET), Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Management, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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Cooperative Projects to Share Good Practices towards More Effective Sustainable Mining—SUGERE: A Case Study. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14063162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The supply of raw materials is a global challenge to be addressed; themes such as “sustainability”, “responsibility”, and “eco-compatibility” represent the cornerstones for proceeding towards a “wise” management of georesources. According to the United Nations’ SDGs, the economic development of countries must go hand in hand with the improvement of their environmental, health, and social sustainability. From this perspective, the exploitation of georesources needs to be handled with an interdisciplinary approach that tackles not only the technical, economic, and environmental issues, but also the social, legislative, and human health ones. In recent years, Europe has promoted several cooperative projects aimed at boosting sustainability in the extractive industry. To achieve and guarantee concrete and truly sustainable mining, it is necessary to build and strengthen educational and training skills. With these objectives in mind, the first results of the EU–Africa SUGERE Erasmus+ project are presented here. The objects of the project are the implementation of Bachelor, Master, and doctoral curricula in geology and mining engineering and the promotion of socioeconomic development thanks to the training of experts who are able to cooperate and work in an interdisciplinary manner for a sustainable approach to local mine exploitation.
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Cossa H, Dietler D, Macete E, Munguambe K, Winkler MS, Fink G. Assessing the effects of mining projects on child health in sub-Saharan Africa: a multi-country analysis. Global Health 2022; 18:7. [PMID: 35101058 PMCID: PMC8802519 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-022-00797-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The African continent hosts many industrial mining projects, and many more are planned due to recent prospecting discoveries and increasing demand for various minerals to promote a low-carbon future. The extraction of natural resources in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) represents an opportunity for economic development but also poses a threat to population health through rapid urbanisation and environmental degradation. Children could benefit from improved economic growth through various channels such as access to high-quality food, better sanitation, and clean water. However, mining can increase food insecurity and trigger local competition over safe drinking water. Child health can be threatened by exposure to mining-related air, noise, and water pollution. To assess the impact of mines on child health, we analyse socio-demographic, health, and mining data before and after several mining projects were commissioned in SSA. Results Data of 90,951 children living around 81 mining sites in 23 countries in SSA were analysed for child mortality indicators, and 79,962 children from 59 mining areas in 18 SSA countries were analysed for diarrhoea, cough, and anthropometric indicators. No effects of the launch of new mining projects on overall under-five mortality were found (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR): 0.88; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.68–1.14). However, activation of mining projects reduced the mortality risk among neonates (0–30 days) by 45% (aOR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.37–0.83) and risk for a child to develop diarrhoeal diseases by 32% (aOR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0,51–0.90). The timing analysis of observed changes showed that there is a significant decline in the risk for childhood diarrhoea (aOR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.49–0.97), and the mean height-for-age z-scores by 28 percentage points, during the prospection and construction phase; i.e., within four years to the initiation of extraction activity. No effects were found for cough and weight-for-height. Conclusion The results presented suggest that the impacts of mining on child health vary throughout the mine’s life cycle. Mining development likely contributes positively to the income and livelihoods of the impacted communities in the initial years of mining operations, particularly the prospection and construction phase; these potential benefits are likely to be at least partially offset by food insecurity and environmental pollution during early and later mining stages, respectively. Further research is warranted to better understand these health impacts and to identify policies that can help sustain the positive initial health impacts of mining projects in the long term. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12992-022-00797-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermínio Cossa
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, Allschwil, 4123, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland. .,Manhiça Health Research Centre, Maputo, 1929, Mozambique.
| | - Dominik Dietler
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, Allschwil, 4123, Switzerland.,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eusébio Macete
- Manhiça Health Research Centre, Maputo, 1929, Mozambique.,National Directorate of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Maputo, 264, Mozambique
| | - Khátia Munguambe
- Manhiça Health Research Centre, Maputo, 1929, Mozambique.,University Eduardo Mondlane, Faculty of Medicine, Maputo, 3453, Mozambique
| | - Mirko S Winkler
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, Allschwil, 4123, Switzerland.,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Günther Fink
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, Allschwil, 4123, Switzerland.,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
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Leuenberger A, Cambaco O, Zabré HR, Lyatuu I, Utzinger J, Munguambe K, Merten S, Winkler MS. "It Is Like We Are Living in a Different World": Health Inequity in Communities Surrounding Industrial Mining Sites in Burkina Faso, Mozambique, and Tanzania. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182111015. [PMID: 34769535 PMCID: PMC8582703 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Leuenberger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; (O.C.); (H.R.Z.); (I.L.); (J.U.); (S.M.); (M.S.W.)
- University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
- Correspondence:
| | - Olga Cambaco
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; (O.C.); (H.R.Z.); (I.L.); (J.U.); (S.M.); (M.S.W.)
- 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; (O.C.); (H.R.Z.); (I.L.); (J.U.); (S.M.); (M.S.W.)
- 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; (O.C.); (H.R.Z.); (I.L.); (J.U.); (S.M.); (M.S.W.)
- 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; (O.C.); (H.R.Z.); (I.L.); (J.U.); (S.M.); (M.S.W.)
- 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; (O.C.); (H.R.Z.); (I.L.); (J.U.); (S.M.); (M.S.W.)
- 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; (O.C.); (H.R.Z.); (I.L.); (J.U.); (S.M.); (M.S.W.)
- University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
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Leuenberger A, Dietler D, Lyatuu I, Farnham A, Kihwele F, Brugger F, Winkler MS. Water and health in mining settings in sub-Saharan Africa: A mixed methods geospatial visualization. GEOSPATIAL HEALTH 2021; 16. [PMID: 34000794 DOI: 10.4081/gh.2021.965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Industrial mining transforms local landscapes, including important health determinants like clean water and sanitation. In this paper, we combined macro-level quantitative and micro-level qualitative data to show how mining projects affect water infrastructures and ultimately the health of affected communities. Although we observed a positive trend of water infrastructure in mining settings, surrounding communities are also characterized by water scarcity and degradation of water quality. The video at the core of this publication showcases inter-linkages of the findings obtained at both the macro- and the micro-levels, embedding our results in a geospatial context. While mining projects can have positive impacts on the development of local water infrastructure, improved management of negative impacts of mining projects is needed for promoting 'Good health and well-being' and 'Clean water and sanitation' as promulgated by the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Leuenberger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel.
| | - Dominik Dietler
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel.
| | - Isaac Lyatuu
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Ifakara Health Institute, Dar es Salaam.
| | - Andrea Farnham
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel.
| | | | - Fritz Brugger
- Department of Humanities, Social- and Political Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich.
| | - Mirko S Winkler
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel.
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