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BMC Women's Health
Published in: BMC Women's Health 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Selected indicators and determinants of women’s health in the vicinity of a copper mine development in northwestern Zambia

Authors: Astrid M. Knoblauch, Mark J. Divall, Milka Owuor, Gertrude Musunka, Anna Pascall, Kennedy Nduna, Harrison Ng’uni, Jürg Utzinger, Mirko S. Winkler

Published in: BMC Women's Health | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

Large projects in the extractive industry sector can affect people’s health and wellbeing. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), women’s health is of particular concern in such contexts due to potential educational and economic disadvantages, vulnerability to transactional sex and unsafe sex practices. At the same time, community health interventions and development initiatives present opportunities for women's and maternal health.

Methods

Within the frame of the health impact assessment (HIA) of the Trident copper mining project in Zambia, two health surveys were conducted (baseline in 2011 and follow-up in 2015) in order to monitor health and health-related indicators. Emphasis was placed on women residing in the mining area and, for comparison, in settings not impacted by the project.

Results

All measured indicators improved over time, regardless of whether communities were affected by the project or not. Additionally, the percentage of mothers giving birth in a health facility, the percentage of women who acknowledge that HIV cannot be transmitted by witchcraft or other supernatural means and the percentage of women having ever tested for HIV showed a significant increase in the impacted sites but not in the comparison communities. In 2015, better health, behavioural and knowledge outcomes in women were associated with employment by the project (or a sub-contractor thereof), migration background, increased wealth and higher educational attainment.

Conclusions

Our study reveals that natural resource development projects can positively impact women’s health, particularly if health risks are adequately anticipated and managed. Hence, the conduct of a comprehensive HIA should be a requirement at the feasibility stage of any large infrastructure project, particularly in LMICs. Continued monitoring of health outcomes and wider determinants of health after the initial assessment is crucial to judge the project’s influence on health and for reducing inequalities over time.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Selected indicators and determinants of women’s health in the vicinity of a copper mine development in northwestern Zambia
Authors
Astrid M. Knoblauch
Mark J. Divall
Milka Owuor
Gertrude Musunka
Anna Pascall
Kennedy Nduna
Harrison Ng’uni
Jürg Utzinger
Mirko S. Winkler
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Women's Health / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6874
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-018-0547-7

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