Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Preventive Measures of Silicosis Among Small-Scale Miners at Mirerani in Manyara Region, Tanzania
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66531/mjph.2026.v1i1.e3Keywords:
Knowledge, Attitude, Practices, Silicosis, TanzaniaAbstract
Background: Silicosis is a preventable but progressive lung disease caused by the inhalation of Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS), posing a serious occupational risk to miners. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to silicosis among small-scale miners at Mirerani in Manyara Region.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, surveying 203 small scale miners through structured, closed-ended questionnaires. In this study, collected data were entered into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 for descriptive analysis to determine the frequencies and percentages of demographic data, knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices, while results were presented in tables and figures.
Results: The majority of respondents (99%) were male. Over half (59.1%) had never heard of silicosis, and only (38.9%) recognized silica dust inhalation as its cause. A smaller proportion identified persistent cough (33.0%) as a symptom and only 29.1% used PPE such as masks as a preventive measure. More than half (54.2%) revealed negative attitudes toward silicosis prevention. In practice, 67.5% used masks as PPE and 66.5% regularly replaced them. However, 78.8% had not received any preventive training, and only 32.5% underwent routine medical evaluations. Additionally, the majority (87.7%) used water sprays for dust suppression, and 85.7% engaged in addressing health and safety issues.
Conclusion: Small-scale miners at Mirerani demonstrated low knowledge, while negative attitudes toward preventive measures of silicosis were also common. Although some miners reported using masks and water spraying to control dust exposure, few had received training on silicosis prevention or attended regular medical examinations. These findings highlight a critical need for targeted educational interventions to improve awareness and promote safe practices among small-scale miners.
References
1. Castro MC, Nani AS, Salum KC, Rolando JD, Santos JF, Castro HA, et al. Genetic polymorphisms and their effects on the severity of silicosis in workers exposed to silica in Brazil. J Bras Pneumol. 2022;48:e20220167. https://doi.org/10.36416/1806-3756/e20220167
2. Li T, Yang X, Xu H, Liu H. Early identification, accurate diagnosis, and treatment of silicosis. Can Respir J. 2022;1:3769134. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/3769134
3. Liu X, Jiang Q, Wu P, Han L, Zhou P. Global incidence, prevalence and disease burden of silicosis: 30 years’ overview and forecasted trends. BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):1366. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16295-2
4. Handra CM, Gurzu IL, Chirila M, Ghita I. Silicosis: new challenges from an old inflammatory and fibrotic disease. Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark. 2023;28(5):96. https://doi.org/10.31083/j.fbl2805096
5. Căluțu IM, Smărăndescu RA, Rașcu A. Biomonitoring exposure and early diagnosis in silicosis: a comprehensive review of the current literature. Biomedicines. 2022;11(1):100. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11010100
6. Adamcakova J, Mokra D. New insights into pathomechanisms and treatment possibilities for lung silicosis. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(8):4162. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22084162
7. Hoy RF, Jeebhay MF, Cavalin C, Chen W, Cohen RA, Fireman E, et al. Current global perspectives on silicosis-Convergence of old and newly emergent hazards. Respirology. 2022;27(6):387-98. https://doi.org/10.1111/resp.14242
8. Mbuya AW, Mboya IB, Semvua HH, Mamuya SH, Howlett PJ, Msuya SE. Prevalence and determinants of evidence of silicosis and impaired lung function among small scale tanzanite miners and the peri-mining community in northern Tanzania. PLOS Global Public Health. 2024;4(9):e0002770. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0002770
9. Howlett P, Mousa H, Said B, Mbuya A, Kon OM, Mpagama S, et al. Silicosis, tuberculosis and silica exposure among artisanal and small-scale miners: a systematic review and modelling paper. PLOS Global Public Health. 2023;3(9):e0002085. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0002085
10. Rupani MP. Challenges and opportunities for silicosis prevention and control: need for a national health program on silicosis in India. J Occup Med Toxicol. 2023;18(1):11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12995-023-00379-1
11. Sifanu M, Taylor TK, Kalebaila KK, Hayumbu P, Nabiwa L, Linde SJ. Knowledge, attitude, behavior practices and compliance of workers exposed to respirable dust in a Zambian copper mine. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(18):6785. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20186785
12. Moyo D, Kavenga F, Ncube RT, Macheri FP, Mando TC, Moyo F, et al. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of artisanal and small-scale miners regarding tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus, and silicosis in Zimbabwe. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(23):7116. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20237116
13. Langwana V, Khoza N, Rathebe PC, Mbonane TP, Masekameni MD. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices on occupation health and safety amongst mine workers exposed to crystalline silica dust in a low-income country: A case study from Lesotho. Safety. 2024;10(3):76. https://doi.org/10.3390/safety10030076
14. Dennis E, Mussa H, Sanga MP, Howlett P, Nyakunga G. Silicosis and silicotuberculosis among respiratory hospital admissions: A cross-sectional survey in northern Tanzania. Afr J Thorac Crit Care Med. 2023;29(3):118-21. https://doi.org/10.7196/AJTCCM.2023.v29i3.269
15. Fisher A, Laing J, Stoeckel J. Handbook for family planning operations research design. In Handbook for family planning operations research design 2012 (pp. 64).
16. Moyo D, Ncube R, Kavenga F, Chikwava L, Mapuranga T, Chiboyiwa N, et al. The triple burden of tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus and silicosis among artisanal and small-scale miners in Zimbabwe. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(21):13822. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192113822
17. Magwe EA, Varisanga MD, Ng’weshemi SK. Healthcare workers’ perceptions of COVID-19 in four regions of Tanzania: A quantitative cross-sectional survey in healthcare facilities. The Nigerian Health Journal. 2023 Aug 19;23(2):666-77. https://doi.org/10.60787/tnhj.v23i2.666
18. Magwe EA. Attitudes toward water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) among rural and urban students in Iringa Region, Tanzania. Alq J Med App Sci. 2024:1447-57. https://doi.org/10.54361/ajmas.247475
19. Sen S, Mitra R, Mukherjee S, K. Das P, Moitra S. Silicosis in current scenario: a review of literature. Curr Respir Med Rev. 2016;12(1):56-64. https://doi.org/10.2174/1573398x11666151026221845
20. Gaviola C, Nicolaou L, Sharma AK, Chandyo R, Parker D, Shrestha L, et al. Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding respirable silica exposure and personal protective equipment use among brick kiln workers in Nepal. Occup Environ Med. 2024;81(6):287-95. https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2024-109516
21. Bardwa CP, Chaudhary A, Chaudhary M, Chaudary S, Kishan K, Patel N. A Study to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching program on knowledge regarding gratification habit among Parents in selected village of Mahesana District. Int J Nurs Educ Res. 2022;11(1):56–58. https://doi.org/10.52711/2454-2660.2022.00013
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Rebeka Justin Kababa, Rahma Rajabu Ally, Justin Pascal Kababa (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All articles published in the Medox Journal of Public Health are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This license allows unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided that the original work is properly cited.
Authors retain copyright of their work and grant Medox Journal of Public Health the right to publish and distribute the article as the original source.
