Impact of mining projects on water and sanitation infrastructures and associated child health outcomes: a multi-country analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract Background Access to improved water and sanitation infrastructures are key determinants of health. The sub-Saharan African region in particular is lagging behind the ambitious goal of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to ensure universal access to improved and reliable water and sanitation for all (Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6). Large mining projects can promote economic growth and hence investments in water and sanitation infrastructures, but at the same time lead to rapid population growth and environmental degradation. In turn, these changes can pose risks and opportunities for child health (SDG 3). In this study we aim to quantify the impacts of mining projects on access to water and sanitation infrastructure as well as diarrhea and malnutrition among children using data from 131 Demographic and Health Surveys from sub-Saharan Africa. Results From a sample of around 1.2 million households, data within the proximity of 52 mine-panels were selected for longitudinal analyses, resulting in 41,896 households and 32,112 children. Improvements in access to modern water and sanitation infrastructures after mine opening were much larger in households near mining sites than in comparison areas located further away (adjusted relative risk ratio (aRRR) water: 18.60, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 13.08–26.46 and aRRR sanitation: 2.56, 95 % CI: 1.32–4.99). However, these associations were weaker among poorer households. In areas close to the mining sites, stunting and underweight prevalence decreased more strongly upon mine opening (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) stunting: 0.62, 95 % CI: 0.43–0.90; aOR underweight: 0.55, 95 % CI: 0.36–0.84). No differential changes were seen for wasting and diarrhea. Large impact heterogeneity was observed both within and across countries. Conclusions Our results suggest that the opening of mines is associated with improvements in access to modern water and sanitation infrastructures (SDG 6) as well as in some health outcomes (SDG 3). However, the large impact heterogeneity suggests that the assessment and management of mining-related impacts on communities should have an increased equity-focus, in order to “leave no one behind” in the work towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Overall, the findings of this study underscore that the resource extraction sector has the potential to make positive and substantial contributions towards achieving the SDGs.

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Caesarean section and increased neonatal mortality risk in meta‐analysis of 33 sub‐Saharan Africa Demographic and Health Surveys

Acta Paediatrica ◽

10.1111/apa.16032 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tawa Olukade ◽

Olalekan A Uthman

Keyword(s):

Caesarean Section ◽

Neonatal Mortality ◽

Mortality Risk ◽

Health Surveys ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Demographic And Health Surveys ◽

Sub Saharan

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Changing sex differences in undernutrition of African children: findings from Demographic and Health Surveys

Journal of Biosocial Science ◽

10.1017/s0021932021000468 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Michel Garenne ◽

Susan Thurstans ◽

André Briend ◽

Carmel Dolan ◽

Tanya Khara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Health Surveys ◽

Sex Ratios ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Demographic And Health Surveys ◽

Growth Charts ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Male To Female ◽

Height For Age ◽

Weight For Age

Abstract The study investigates sex differences in the prevalence of undernutrition in sub-Saharan Africa. Undernutrition was defined by Z-scores using the CDC-2000 growth charts. Some 128 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) were analysed, totalling 700,114 children under-five. The results revealed a higher susceptibility of boys to undernutrition. Male-to-female ratios of prevalence averaged 1.18 for stunting (height-for-age Z-score <−2.0); 1.01 for wasting (weight-for-height Z-score <−2.0); 1.05 for underweight (weight-for-age Z-score <−2.0); and 1.29 for concurrent wasting and stunting (weight-for-height and height-for-age Z-scores <−2.0). Sex ratios of prevalence varied with age for stunting and concurrent wasting and stunting, with higher values for children age 0–23 months and lower values for children age 24–59 months. Sex ratios of prevalence tended to increase with declining level of mortality for stunting, underweight and concurrent wasting and stunting, but remained stable for wasting. Comparisons were made with other anthropometric reference sets (NCHS-1977 and WHO-2006), and the results were found to differ somewhat from those obtained with CDC-2000. Possible rationales for these patterns are discussed.

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Long-acting reversible contraception in adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa: evidence from demographic and health surveys

The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care ◽

10.1080/13625187.2018.1519535 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (5) ◽

pp. 357-364 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rebekah J McCurdy ◽

Xuezhi Jiang ◽

Peter F Schnatz

Keyword(s):

Health Surveys ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Demographic And Health Surveys ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Long Acting

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Is overweight still a problem of rich in sub-Saharan Africa? Insights based on female-oriented demographic and health surveys

World Development Perspectives ◽

10.1016/j.wdp.2021.100388 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 25 ◽

pp. 100388

Author(s):

Bertille Daran ◽

Pierre Levasseur

Keyword(s):

Health Surveys ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Demographic And Health Surveys ◽

Sub Saharan

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Is there a relationship between female genital mutilation/cutting and fistula? A statistical analysis using cross-sectional data from Demographic and Health Surveys in 10 sub-Saharan Africa countries

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025355 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. e025355 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dennis Juma Matanda ◽

Pooja Sripad ◽

Charity Ndwiga

Keyword(s):

Statistical Analysis ◽

Female Genital Mutilation ◽

Health Surveys ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Demographic And Health Surveys ◽

Common Belief ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Genital Mutilation ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Female Genital

ObjectivesLiterature on associations between female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and fistula points to a common belief that FGM/C predisposes women to developing fistula. This study explores this association using nationally representative survey data.DesignA secondary statistical analysis of cross-sectional data from Demographic and Health Surveys was conducted to explore the association between FGM/C and fistula.SettingSub-Saharan Africa.ParticipantsWomen aged 15–49 years in Burkina Faso (n=17 087), Chad (n=17 719), Côte d’Ivoire (n=10 060), Ethiopia (n=14 070), Guinea (n=9142), Kenya (n=31 079), Mali (n=10 424), Nigeria (n=33 385), Senegal (n=15 688) and Sierra Leone (n=16 658).Main outcome measuresFistula symptoms.ResultsMultivariate logit modelling using pooled data from 10 countries showed that the odds of reporting fistula symptoms were 1.5 times (CI 1.06 to 2.21) higher for women whose genitals were cut and sewn closed than those who had undergone other types of FGM/C. Women who attended antenatal care (ANC) (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.51, CI 0.36 to 0.71) and those who lived in urban areas (AOR 0.62, CI 0.44 to 0.89) were less likely to report fistula symptoms than those who did not attend ANC or lived in rural areas.ConclusionsSevere forms of FGM/C (infibulation) may predispose women to fistula. Contextual and socioeconomic factors may increase the likelihood of fistula. Multisectoral interventions that concurrently address harmful traditional practices such as FGM/C and other contextual factors that drive the occurrence of fistula are warranted. Promotion of ANC utilisation could be a starting point in the prevention of fistulas.

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