Seroprevalence and risk factors of blood-borne sexually transmitted infections among small-scale miners in a mining community in Ghana, a growing epidemiology in a neglected population
1
Epidemiology, University of health and allied sciences, Ho, Ghana
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Blood-borne sexually transmitted infections (BBSTIs), including HIV, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and syphilis, represent a major public health concern globally, with small-scale miners in resource-limited settings being at heightened risk due to occupational and behavioural vulnerabilities. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of BBSTIs among small-scale miners in Tarkwa Municipality of Ghana.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 small-scale miners using semi-structured questionnaires and blood sample analyses. Rapid diagnostic test kits were used for initial screening, with confirmatory tests using OraQuick for HIV, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for HBV and HCV, and Treponema pallidum Hemaglutination Assay (TPHA) for syphilis. Data were analyzed using Stata 17 statistical software, employing descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression, with a 95% confidence interval and statistical significance set at p-value less than 0.05.
RESULTS:
The overall BBSTI seroprevalence was 14.6%, with syphilis (10.6%) and HBV (5.5%) being the most common infections. HIV and HCV prevalence were 2.1% and 1.0% respectively. Inconsistent condom use (AOR=2.01; 95% CI: 1.02–4.12; p=0.04) and recent sexual intercourse within the past 12 months (AOR=2.12, 95% CI: 1.04–4.19; p=0.03) were statistically significantly associated with BBSTI. The age group 27-35 years and males bore the highest burden of infections. Although there is a high STI awareness level of 96%, limited access to healthcare remains a notable barrier.
CONCLUSIONS:
Small-scale miners in Tarkwa face a considerable burden of BBSTIs, exacerbated by risky sexual behaviours and systemic challenges like stigma and healthcare inaccessibility. Targeted interventions that include periodic screening, behavioural education, stigma reduction, and improved health service delivery are urgently needed to mitigate the risk and transmission of BBSTIs in mining communities.
Blood-borne sexually transmitted infections (BBSTIs), including HIV, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and syphilis, represent a major public health concern globally, with small-scale miners in resource-limited settings being at heightened risk due to occupational and behavioural vulnerabilities. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of BBSTIs among small-scale miners in Tarkwa Municipality of Ghana.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 small-scale miners using semi-structured questionnaires and blood sample analyses. Rapid diagnostic test kits were used for initial screening, with confirmatory tests using OraQuick for HIV, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for HBV and HCV, and Treponema pallidum Hemaglutination Assay (TPHA) for syphilis. Data were analyzed using Stata 17 statistical software, employing descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression, with a 95% confidence interval and statistical significance set at p-value less than 0.05.
RESULTS:
The overall BBSTI seroprevalence was 14.6%, with syphilis (10.6%) and HBV (5.5%) being the most common infections. HIV and HCV prevalence were 2.1% and 1.0% respectively. Inconsistent condom use (AOR=2.01; 95% CI: 1.02–4.12; p=0.04) and recent sexual intercourse within the past 12 months (AOR=2.12, 95% CI: 1.04–4.19; p=0.03) were statistically significantly associated with BBSTI. The age group 27-35 years and males bore the highest burden of infections. Although there is a high STI awareness level of 96%, limited access to healthcare remains a notable barrier.
CONCLUSIONS:
Small-scale miners in Tarkwa face a considerable burden of BBSTIs, exacerbated by risky sexual behaviours and systemic challenges like stigma and healthcare inaccessibility. Targeted interventions that include periodic screening, behavioural education, stigma reduction, and improved health service delivery are urgently needed to mitigate the risk and transmission of BBSTIs in mining communities.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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