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Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 1/2020

Open Access 01-12-2020 | Intoxication | Research

Health-related quality of life (EQ-5D + C) among people living in artisanal and small-scale gold mining areas in Zimbabwe: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Friederike-Marie Butscher, Stefan Rakete, Myriam Tobollik, Viola Mambrey, Dingani Moyo, Dennis Shoko, Shamiso Muteti-Fana, Nadine Steckling-Muschack, Stephan Bose-O’Reilly

Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Background

In Zimbabwe, an estimated 500,000 people work in the sector of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). Two million Zimbabweans are dependent on this sector. Using mercury is common to extract gold from ore. Long term exposure to mercury can cause various adverse health conditions including chronic mercury intoxication. The influence of these adverse health effects on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is still unknown. The aim of this study is to assess the HRQoL of people who identify themselves as miners, and to analyze potential influencing factors, such as age, years of working with mercury and health conditions caused by mercury exposure.

Methods

This cross-sectional study assessed the HRQoL using the standardized EQ-5D + C (3 L) questionnaire and collected human specimens (blood, urine) of people living and possibly working in ASGM areas in Zimbabwe. Factors such as age, years of working with mercury and adverse health conditions possibly caused by mercury exposure were analyzed with regards to their influence on the HRQoL.

Results

The 207 participants (82% male, mean age 38 years) reported 40 different health states. Of the study participants 42.5% reported to be in complete good health while 57.5% reported being unwell in different ways. Nine participants (4.3%) were identified with chronic mercury intoxication, whereas 92 participants (33.3%) had mercury levels above the “Alert” threshold in at least one specimen. Having chronic mercury intoxication has a significant negative influence on the HRQoL, when taking into account age, gender and years of working with mercury. Cognitive problems were the most reported in the questionnaire, however, the association between this domain separately and the HRQoL was not verified.

Conclusion

This study shows that adverse health effects caused by chronic exposure to mercury, have a negative influence on the HRQoL among people living in ASGM areas.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Health-related quality of life (EQ-5D + C) among people living in artisanal and small-scale gold mining areas in Zimbabwe: a cross-sectional study
Authors
Friederike-Marie Butscher
Stefan Rakete
Myriam Tobollik
Viola Mambrey
Dingani Moyo
Dennis Shoko
Shamiso Muteti-Fana
Nadine Steckling-Muschack
Stephan Bose-O’Reilly
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
Intoxication
Published in
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7525
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-020-01530-w

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