Stakeholder perceptions of a workplace-based screening programme for artisanal and small-scale miners in Zimbabwe

A. M. Malhotra; F. Kavenga; R. T. Ncube; G. Madziva; F. Moyo; B. Chigaraza; E. Marambire; S. Kasozi; C. Timire; C. J. Calderwood; A. Nyambo; K. Ndlovu; M. Zungu; D. Moyo

doi:10.1093/occmed/kqaf119

Stakeholder perceptions of a workplace-based screening programme for artisanal and small-scale miners in Zimbabwe

A. M. Malhotra
, F. Kavenga
, R. T. Ncube
, G. Madziva
, F. Moyo
, B. Chigaraza
, E. Marambire
, S. Kasozi
, C. Timire
, C. J. Calderwood
, A. Nyambo
, K. Ndlovu
, M. Zungu
, D. Moyo

Clinical Sciences

Biomedical Research and Training Institute
Ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe
Union Zimbabwe Trust
Baines Occupational Health Services
Africa University
Zimbabwe Open University
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
National Health Laboratory Services
University of Pretoria
Walter Sisulu University
National University of Science and Technology Bulawayo
University of the Witwatersrand

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Background: Artisanal and small-scale miners (ASMs) experience high prevalence of disease, notably tuberculosis (TB), human immunodeficieny virus (HIV), silicosis, sexually transmitted infections, substance misuse, and mercury and cyanide toxicity. Despite this, targeted healthcare interventions are limited.

Aims: To explore the perceptions of ASMs and their leaders/representatives in relation to a 5-year targeted health screening intervention for ASMs in Zimbabwe. Screening included TB, HIV and silicosis. Insights were also gathered from healthcare staff, academics and national stakeholders involved in the project.

Methods: Focus-group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 31 participants (13 ASMs and ASMs’ representatives, 6 healthcare staff and academics, and 12 representatives from national organizations). Participants were asked to reflect on their experience and understanding of health screening activities for ASMs, as well as what further healthcare activity is required.

Results: Artisanal and small-scale miners felt that screening activity was beneficial. Fear and stigma were the main barriers to healthcare access during initial implementation; however, this was alleviated through collaboration with ASMs leadership and peer-officers. Health priorities identified for future healthcare activity included development of a health-screening checklist for ASMs, strengthening access to information, decentralization of occupational health services and addressing a greater package of health. Cross-collaboration between the mining sector, Ministry of Health and Childcare and other national stakeholders was identified as a priority.

Conclusions: Targeted health screening and care is needed for this neglected and vulnerable group. The workplace screening offered a model to address this; however, more work is needed to ensure that ASMs in other locations and with additional health priorities are reached.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	94-99
Number of pages	6
Journal	Occupational Medicine
Volume	76
Issue number	2
Early online date	10 Feb 2026
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqaf119
Publication status	Published - 1 Mar 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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10.1093/occmed/kqaf119

25-OP-108.R2 Accepted author manuscript, 220 KBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

Malhotra, A. M., Kavenga, F., Ncube, R. T., Madziva, G., Moyo, F., Chigaraza, B., Marambire, E., Kasozi, S., Timire, C., Calderwood, C. J., Nyambo, A., Ndlovu, K., Zungu, M., & Moyo, D. (2026). Stakeholder perceptions of a workplace-based screening programme for artisanal and small-scale miners in Zimbabwe. Occupational Medicine, 76(2), 94-99. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqaf119

@article{99a25751424840a7afac00623ac1ae55,

title = "Stakeholder perceptions of a workplace-based screening programme for artisanal and small-scale miners in Zimbabwe",

abstract = "Background: Artisanal and small-scale miners (ASMs) experience high prevalence of disease, notably tuberculosis (TB), human immunodeficieny virus (HIV), silicosis, sexually transmitted infections, substance misuse, and mercury and cyanide toxicity. Despite this, targeted healthcare interventions are limited. Aims: To explore the perceptions of ASMs and their leaders/representatives in relation to a 5-year targeted health screening intervention for ASMs in Zimbabwe. Screening included TB, HIV and silicosis. Insights were also gathered from healthcare staff, academics and national stakeholders involved in the project. Methods: Focus-group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 31 participants (13 ASMs and ASMs{\textquoteright} representatives, 6 healthcare staff and academics, and 12 representatives from national organizations). Participants were asked to reflect on their experience and understanding of health screening activities for ASMs, as well as what further healthcare activity is required. Results: Artisanal and small-scale miners felt that screening activity was beneficial. Fear and stigma were the main barriers to healthcare access during initial implementation; however, this was alleviated through collaboration with ASMs leadership and peer-officers. Health priorities identified for future healthcare activity included development of a health-screening checklist for ASMs, strengthening access to information, decentralization of occupational health services and addressing a greater package of health. Cross-collaboration between the mining sector, Ministry of Health and Childcare and other national stakeholders was identified as a priority. Conclusions: Targeted health screening and care is needed for this neglected and vulnerable group. The workplace screening offered a model to address this; however, more work is needed to ensure that ASMs in other locations and with additional health priorities are reached.",

author = "Malhotra, \{A. M.\} and F. Kavenga and Ncube, \{R. T.\} and G. Madziva and F. Moyo and B. Chigaraza and E. Marambire and S. Kasozi and C. Timire and Calderwood, \{C. J.\} and A. Nyambo and K. Ndlovu and M. Zungu and D. Moyo",

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Malhotra, AM, Kavenga, F, Ncube, RT, Madziva, G, Moyo, F, Chigaraza, B, Marambire, E, Kasozi, S, Timire, C, Calderwood, CJ, Nyambo, A, Ndlovu, K, Zungu, M & Moyo, D 2026, 'Stakeholder perceptions of a workplace-based screening programme for artisanal and small-scale miners in Zimbabwe', Occupational Medicine, vol. 76, no. 2, pp. 94-99. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqaf119

TY - JOUR

T1 - Stakeholder perceptions of a workplace-based screening programme for artisanal and small-scale miners in Zimbabwe

AU - Malhotra, A. M.

AU - Kavenga, F.

AU - Ncube, R. T.

AU - Madziva, G.

AU - Moyo, F.

AU - Chigaraza, B.

AU - Marambire, E.

AU - Kasozi, S.

AU - Timire, C.

AU - Calderwood, C. J.

AU - Nyambo, A.

AU - Ndlovu, K.

AU - Zungu, M.

AU - Moyo, D.

PY - 2026/3/1

Y1 - 2026/3/1

N2 - Background: Artisanal and small-scale miners (ASMs) experience high prevalence of disease, notably tuberculosis (TB), human immunodeficieny virus (HIV), silicosis, sexually transmitted infections, substance misuse, and mercury and cyanide toxicity. Despite this, targeted healthcare interventions are limited. Aims: To explore the perceptions of ASMs and their leaders/representatives in relation to a 5-year targeted health screening intervention for ASMs in Zimbabwe. Screening included TB, HIV and silicosis. Insights were also gathered from healthcare staff, academics and national stakeholders involved in the project. Methods: Focus-group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 31 participants (13 ASMs and ASMs’ representatives, 6 healthcare staff and academics, and 12 representatives from national organizations). Participants were asked to reflect on their experience and understanding of health screening activities for ASMs, as well as what further healthcare activity is required. Results: Artisanal and small-scale miners felt that screening activity was beneficial. Fear and stigma were the main barriers to healthcare access during initial implementation; however, this was alleviated through collaboration with ASMs leadership and peer-officers. Health priorities identified for future healthcare activity included development of a health-screening checklist for ASMs, strengthening access to information, decentralization of occupational health services and addressing a greater package of health. Cross-collaboration between the mining sector, Ministry of Health and Childcare and other national stakeholders was identified as a priority. Conclusions: Targeted health screening and care is needed for this neglected and vulnerable group. The workplace screening offered a model to address this; however, more work is needed to ensure that ASMs in other locations and with additional health priorities are reached.

AB - Background: Artisanal and small-scale miners (ASMs) experience high prevalence of disease, notably tuberculosis (TB), human immunodeficieny virus (HIV), silicosis, sexually transmitted infections, substance misuse, and mercury and cyanide toxicity. Despite this, targeted healthcare interventions are limited. Aims: To explore the perceptions of ASMs and their leaders/representatives in relation to a 5-year targeted health screening intervention for ASMs in Zimbabwe. Screening included TB, HIV and silicosis. Insights were also gathered from healthcare staff, academics and national stakeholders involved in the project. Methods: Focus-group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 31 participants (13 ASMs and ASMs’ representatives, 6 healthcare staff and academics, and 12 representatives from national organizations). Participants were asked to reflect on their experience and understanding of health screening activities for ASMs, as well as what further healthcare activity is required. Results: Artisanal and small-scale miners felt that screening activity was beneficial. Fear and stigma were the main barriers to healthcare access during initial implementation; however, this was alleviated through collaboration with ASMs leadership and peer-officers. Health priorities identified for future healthcare activity included development of a health-screening checklist for ASMs, strengthening access to information, decentralization of occupational health services and addressing a greater package of health. Cross-collaboration between the mining sector, Ministry of Health and Childcare and other national stakeholders was identified as a priority. Conclusions: Targeted health screening and care is needed for this neglected and vulnerable group. The workplace screening offered a model to address this; however, more work is needed to ensure that ASMs in other locations and with additional health priorities are reached.

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DO - 10.1093/occmed/kqaf119

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SN - 0962-7480

VL - 76

SP - 94

EP - 99

JO - Occupational Medicine

JF - Occupational Medicine

IS - 2

ER -

Stakeholder perceptions of a workplace-based screening programme for artisanal and small-scale miners in Zimbabwe

Abstract

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