Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of people living in artisanal mining areas on water pollution in Siguiri, Guinea, 2023

Aly Badara TOURE ^1,2* Mariam Sadio DIALLO ^3,4 Sidikiba SIDIBE ^1,2 Salifou Talassone BANGOURA ^5,6 Fassou Mathias GROVOGUI ^1,2,7 Maladho DIABY ^2,6 Mohamed Aly BANGOURA ² Yamoussa YOULA ⁸ Mory KOUROUMA ⁷ Alexandre DELAMOU ^1,2,9

• ¹ African Center of Excellence for the Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases (CEA-PCMT), University Gamal Abdel Nasser of Conakry, Conakry, Guinea
• ² Département de Santé Publique, Université Gamal Abdel Nasser de Conakry, Conakry, Guinea
• ³ African Center of Excellence for the Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases, Gamal Abdel Nasser University of Conakry, Conakry, Guinea
• ⁴ Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire Nestor Bangoura/Hélène Labrousse, CTA Hôpital National Donka, Conakry, Guinée, Conakry, Guinea
• ⁵ Département de Santé Publique, Université Gamal Abdel Nasser de Conakry,, Conakry, Guinea
• ⁶ Centre de Recherche et de Formation en Infectiologie de Guinée, Campus Hadja Mafory Bangoura, Donka, Conakry, Republique de Guinée, Conakry, Guinea
• ⁷ Centre Emergent des Mines et Sociétés de Boké, Institut Supérieur des Mines et Géologies de Boké, Guinée, Conakry, Guinea
• ⁸ Département des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques de l'Université Gamal Abdel Nasser de Conakry Conakry, Guinée, Conakry, Guinea
• ⁹ Centre National de Formation et de Recherche en Santé Rurale de Maferinyah (CNSFRSM), Forécariah, Guinée, Conakry, Guinea

IntroductionWater pollution is a major public health issue, especially in mining areas where artisanal mining activities are prevalent. The objective of this study was to analyze the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the population regarding water pollution in the mining areas of Siguiri, Guinea.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from May 15 to June 15, 2023, on the population of Doko, Siguiri. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to water pollution in artisanal mining areas. Logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with KAP.ResultsThe survey included 501 respondents. Good knowledge of water pollution was observed in 53% of respondents, while 52% exhibited a positive attitude towards water pollution in artisanal mining area. Good practices were reported by 81% of respondents. The multivariate analysis showed that being educated (ORa: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.39; 3.29) and being a foreigner (ORa: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.04; 3.51) significantly associated with positive attitudes towards water pollution in artisanal mining area. Indeed, being single (aOR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.10; 3.14), having good knowledge of water pollution (aOR: 2.51; 95% CI: 1.47; 4.36) and lack of lifestyle (tobacco and alcohol) (aOR: 2.51; 95% CI: 1.02; 5.97) were significantly associated with good practices.ConclusionThis study revealed moderate knowledge, positive attitudes and adequate practices regarding water pollution in Siguiri's artisanal mining areas. However, significant gaps remain, including a lack of awareness of the risks associated with prolonged exposure to heavy metals. She advocates an integrated approach combining education, awareness-raising and technical support, accompanied by concrete solutions such as water treatment and the strengthening of community initiatives, in order to convert this knowledge into sustainable behavior.