Evidence map›Paper›PMID 29110639›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2017

A comparison of licensed and un-licensed artisanal and small-scale gold miners (ASGM) in terms of socio-demographics, work profiles, and injury rates.

Benedict N L Calys-Tagoe, Edith Clarke, Thomas Robins, Niladri Basu

Open access · goldAbstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in BMC public health, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
1.2field-weighted citation impact, top 19% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 25 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Health Studies in the Context of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining: A Scoping Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021
    Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors at 3 institutions in 3 countries.

Benedict N L Calys-TagoeDepartment of Community Health, University of Ghana School of Public Health, Accra, Ghana. calys75@hotmail.com.
Edith ClarkeOccupational and Environmental Health Unit, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana.
Thomas RobinsDepartment of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School Of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
Niladri BasuDepartment of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School Of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor · USGhana Health Service · GHUniversity of Ghana · GH

Funding

The Ghana-Michigan Post-doctoral And Research Trainee NEtwoRk-Investing in InnovaD43TW009353 · FIC · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · PI ROBINS, THOMAS G · 2012 to 2016
$1.7M
FIC NIH HHS D43 TW009353
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundArtisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) represents one of the most hazardous work environments. While formalization of this sector has been suggested (e.g., Minamata Convention) as a means to improve working conditions, we are unaware of empirical evidence that supports this notion. This study aimed to compare sociodemographic profiles, work profiles, and injury rates among miners working in licensed versus un-licensed ASGM sites.

methodsIn the Tarkwa mining region of Ghana, 404 small-scale miners were recruited in 2014 and interviewed regarding their occupational injury experiences over the preceding 10 years. Workers were drawn from 9 mining sites, of which 5 were licensed and 4 were not licensed.

resultsSociodemographic characteristics of miners from the two groups were relatively similar. Those currently working in an un-licensed mine have spent more time in the ASGM sector than those currently working in a licensed mine (94 vs. 70 months). Miners working in an un-licensed site tended to experience more injury episodes (e.g., 26% vs. 8% had 3 or more injury events) and not use personal protective equipment during the time of an injury (92% indicated to not using vs. 73%) when compared to miners working in a licensed site. A total of 121 injury episodes were recorded for 2245 person years of ASGM work. The injury rate for those working in un-licensed mines was 5.9 per 100 person years (59 injuries in 995 person years) versus 5.0 (62 injuries in 1250 person-years) in the licensed mines. When focusing on the male miners, there was a significant difference in injury rates between those working in a licensed mine (4.2 per 100 person years) versus an un-licensed mine (6.1 per 100 person years).

conclusionsThese findings advance our understanding of injuries amongst ASGM workers, and help identify important differences in socio-demographics, work profiles, and injury rates between miners working in a licensed versus and un-licensed site. The findings suggest that certain working conditions in a licensed site may be safer.

Indexed as

GoldMiningAdolescentAdultAgedCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleGhanaHumansLicensureMaleMiddle AgedMinersOccupational InjuriesPersonal Protective EquipmentWorkplaceGoldInformal sectorMinersOccupational healthOccupational injuriesPublic healthVulnerable populationsWorkplace

Identifiers

PMID29110639
PMCPMC5674739
OpenAlexW2767751109

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.