Project profile — Analysis of the Impact of Tuberculosis in Mine-Workers' Communities of Origin

• Swaziland (25.00%)
• Zimbabwe (25.00%)
• South Africa (25.00%)
• Lesotho (25.00%)

• Basic Health: Tuberculosis control (12263) (100.00%)

• Gender equality (not targeted)
• Desertification (not targeted)
• Children's issues (significant objective)
• Biodiversity (not targeted)
• Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting) (not targeted)
• Indigenous Issues (not targeted)
• Urban issues (not targeted)
• Climate change mitigation (not targeted)
• Participatory development and good governance (significant objective)
• ICT as a tool for development (not targeted)
• Youth Issues (significant objective)
• Disability (not targeted)
• Trade development (not targeted)
• Climate Change Adaptation (not targeted)

This project aims to increase knowledge on the impact of tuberculosis in mine-workers' communities of origin to ultimately reduce the spread of the disease. Given that rates of tuberculosis among miners are 20 to 30 times that of the average population (as of 2010), and given that miners are often migrant labourers, understanding the linkages between tuberculosis and the mining sector is key to stemming the spread of the disease overall. The project undertakes an analysis of the burden of tuberculosis in mine-workers' communities of origin, based on in-country data collection. This high-level, policy relevant analysis is key to making informed programming decisions and to mobilizing global resources. The analysis also outlines public-private partnership interventions which may be taken on by global health actors to address the challenge of tuberculosis in mining communities in a comprehensive fashion. The project has two phases: (1) consolidating available evidence and high-level analysis, and mapping ongoing efforts, identifying potential interventions; and (2) filling gaps with primary data, broadening the list of interventions, capturing best practices and estimating their potential costs.

The expected immediate outcomes for this project include: (1) improved understanding of the impact of tuberculosis in the mining sector on communities in Southern Africa (Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe); and (2) improved knowledge, which includes identifying and costing, of interventions to address the challenge of tuberculosis in affected communities.

Results achieved as of the end of project (December 2014) include: (1) prepared analyses on the size, distribution and demographic profiles of the mining population in Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe, focusing on miners that have worked in South Africa over the past 40 years, the disease risks and burden in this population and key challenges and opportunities; (2) identified opportunities for intervention, designed, and in some cases piloted to improve management of tuberculosis in both domestic and migrant miners and a potential model for establishing a one-stop shop integrated with a public health facility was designed and costed; (3) identified key sub-populations that warrant particular attention and programming in the response to TB and mining, including ex-miners, undocumented workers, and women and children. These have contributed to increased knowledge on the impact of tuberculosis in mine-workers communities of origin to ultimately reduce the spread of the disease.

• Proactive disclosure