Community Health Impacts of the Trident Copper Mine Project in Northwestern Zambia: Results from Repeated Cross-Sectional Surveys
Adult
Adolescent
malaria
syphilis
Zambia
mining
Article
Mining
Young Adult
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
schistosomiasis
Surveys and Questionnaires
11. Sustainability
Prevalence
Humans
Child
soil-transmitted helminths
monitoring and evaluation
1. No poverty
Middle Aged
3. Good health
nutrition
Cross-Sectional Studies
Child, Preschool
health impact assessment
Female
Public Health
Copper
DOI:
10.3390/ijerph17103633
Publication Date:
2020-05-21T15:31:18Z
AUTHORS (13)
ABSTRACT
The application of a health impact assessment (HIA) for a large-scale copper mining project in rural Zambia triggered the long-term monitoring and evaluation of determinants of health and health outcomes in communities living in proximity to the mine. Three consecutive cross-sectional surveys were conducted at intervals of four years; thus, at baseline (2011), four (2015) and eight (2019) years into the project’s development. Using the same field and laboratory procedures, the surveys allowed for determining changes in health indicators at the household level, in young children (<5 years), school attendees (9–14 years) and women (15–49 years). Results were compared between communities considered impacted by the project and communities outside the project area (comparison communities). The prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infection increased in both the impacted and comparison communities between 2011 and 2019 but remained consistently lower in the impacted communities. Stunting in children < 5 years and the prevalence of intestinal parasite infections in children aged 9–14 years mostly decreased. In women of reproductive age, selected health indicators (i.e., anaemia, syphilis, underweight and place of delivery) either remained stable or improved. Impacted communities generally showed better health outcomes than comparison communities, suggesting that the health interventions implemented by the project as a consequence of the HIA have mitigated potential negative effects and enhanced positive effects. Caution is indicated to avoid promotion of health inequalities within and beyond the project area.
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