Analysis of the Burden of Pneumoconiosis Among Miners in Mashonaland West from 2017- 2022

Abstract

Miners face considerable health risks from pneumoconiosis, a devastating occupational lung illness caused by extended exposure to dust and other working dangers. This study looks at the prevalence, risk factors, and healthcare access of miners in Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe, between 2017 and 2022. Despite the global acknowledgment of pneumoconiosis as a serious occupational health hazard, there is little study on its prevalence in Zimbabwe. The study sought to determine the frequency and incidence of pneumoconiosis among miners, identify associated risk variables, and evaluate healthcare access and utilization over the study period. A cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 100 miners chosen by stratified random sampling. Data were gathered using structured interviews and existing health records. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to investigate the connections between pneumoconiosis and other risk factors, such as workplace dust exposure, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, smoking, and healthcare access. Miners with more than ten years of experience were the most affected, with a 32% prevalence rate, compared to only 10% for those with less than five years of experience.The results suggested that the incidence rate increased by around 5% per year.Artisanal and small-scale miners were found to be the most vulnerable, with more than 30% afflicted with the disease as compared to miners working in large-scale operations had a lower incidence rate of 12%. The highest rates of pneumoconiosis were found among older miners, notably those aged 40 and over. Nearly 29% of this age group were diagnosed with pneumoconiosis, reflecting their long-term exposure to mining dust. Multivariate analysis showed duration of mining experience [AOR = 2.5; 95%CI: 1.8-3.6; p=0.001], Use of PPE [AOR = 0.4; 95%CI: 0.2-0.7; p<0.002, Smoking status [AOR=1.3; 95%CI: 1.1-3.0; p=0.03], Healthcare access frequency [AOR=0.6; 95%CI: 0.3-0.9; p=0.02] to be statistically significant predictors of pneumoconiosis risk. The study emphasizes the critical need for actions to limit dust exposure, enforce workplace safety standards, and improve healthcare access for miners. These findings indicate crucial areas for policy improvement, industry accountability, and community education to reduce the burden of pneumoconiosis on Zimbabwe's miners.