RP-Department of Environmental Health

Permanent URI for this collection

https://repository.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5369

Browse

Browsing RP-Department of Environmental Health by Subject "ASM"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Risk Factors Associated with Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Rosterman, Kakamega, Kenya
    (Scientific & Academic Publishing, 2020) Makokha, Winnie Rabera; Nyamari, Jackim Matara; Makau, Isaac K.
    Occupational injuries, though preventable, have been described as a major public health problem. In artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), little is known about the risk factors to injuries. In 2018, we examined injuries and the potential risk factors among ASGM workers in Rosterman, Kakamega County, Kenya. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted and three hundred and thirteen (313) ASGM workers were interviewed regarding their occupational injuries experiences over the preceding 1 year. Data was collected using structured interviewer administered questionnaires with the aid of open data kit (ODK) platform. Injury rates were estimated at 44.7 injuries per 100 person years. The most affected body parts were hands, upper and lower limbs at 62.14%, 30% respectively. The risk factors associated with injuries included; having an alternative source of income (p=0.027), an individual personal safety culture (p=0.021) and use of hammer or mallet as tools (p=0.022). In conclusion, injuries are prevalent among ASGM workers with several body parts being affected, the upper limbs being the most commonly affected. The study also demonstrated that there are various risk factors associated with injuries in ASGM. In view of those findings, the study recommends that injury prevention should be made a priority in ASGM intervention programs in order to reduce the burden of occupational injuries and also sensitize the workers on the risk factors they are exposed to.