Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32727498›Full record

Observational studyHealth and quality of life outcomes2020

Comparing the self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of artisanal and small-scale gold miners and the urban population in Zimbabwe using the EuroQol (EQ-5D-3L+C) questionnaire: a cross-sectional study.

Jana Becker, Stephan Bose-O'Reilly, Dennis Shoko, Josephine Singo, Nadine Steckling-Muschack

Abstract readComparative StudyObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in Health and quality of life outcomes, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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  3. Socio-demographic disparities in health-related quality of life in hypertensive patients in Bangladesh: a comprehensive survey analysis.Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation · 2025
    Article
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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

5 authors.

Jana BeckerInstitute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336, Munich, Germany. jana.becker@med.uni-muenchen.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4356-4466
Stephan Bose-O'ReillyInstitute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336, Munich, Germany.
Dennis ShokoTailjet Consultancy Services, Vainona, Borrowdale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Josephine SingoNational University of Science and Technology, PO Box AC 939, Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Nadine Steckling-MuschackInstitute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336, Munich, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe role of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) as a source of income is rapidly gaining importance in the economically difficult times in Zimbabwe. Besides limited epidemiological data, no data about the self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of artisanal and small-scale gold miners exist. The aim of the project was to access HRQoL of ASGM workers to improve the data base and compare the data to the urban Zimbabwean population.

methodsData from 83 artisanal and small-scale gold miners in Kadoma, Zimbabwe was analysed. The HRQoL was assessed using the EuroQol dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression) accompanied by the cognition add-on questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L+C) and associated visual analogue scale (VAS). We described the EQ-5D dimensions and VAS values and computed health utility (HU) values using the Zimbabwean tariff. The proportions of miners reporting no problem in each EQ-5D dimension were compared with corresponding proportions reporting any problem (moderate or severe), and mean HU and VAS values were analysed across subgroups of the sample. To test differences between subgroups, Fisher's exact test was used and between urban and mining population, Student's t-test was used.

resultsThe reported health states of miners were homogenous, with a large amount (42%) reporting 'full health'. Mean (SD) VAS and HU values were 81.0 (17.5) and 0.896 (0.13), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that miners with a lower education reported significantly more problems in the dimension of daily activities and miners with mercury contact had more problems in the dimensions of pain/discomfort and cognition. Comparison between mining and urban population showed that in the oldest age group, self-rated VAS values of miners were significantly higher than of their urban counterparts.

conclusionsThere were no significant differences in the HRQoL of mining and urban populations. However, the reason might be adverse health effects faced by the urban population that do not apply to rural mining areas. A higher education level of miners can improve the HRQoL, which is especially impaired by problems in the cognition dimension.

Indexed as

Health StatusQuality of LifeAdolescentAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleGoldHumansMaleMiddle AgedMiningSelf ReportUrban PopulationYoung AdultZimbabweGoldArtisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM)EuroQol (EQ-5D + C-3 L)Health-related quality of life (HRQoL)MercuryMercury intoxicationMinamata convention on mercury

Identifiers

PMID32727498
PMCPMC7390189

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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.