Technical Report > Policy Brief
Baxter LM, Cowan K, Devine C, Guevara M, Kalub D, et al.
2022 October 27
As an independent international medical humanitarian organisation responding to health crises in more than 70 countries, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is seeing first-hand the suffering caused or exacerbated by climate change and environmental degradation, most often experienced by the most vulnerable people. We are witnessing how climate change directly threatens health – for example, through death and injury due to extreme weather – and how climate change impacts health indirectly, through food insecurity and shifting patterns of climate-sensitive infectious diseases.
Recognising the role of the climate crisis in amplifying humanitarian needs, MSF is adapting its operations to be more responsive to the populations it serves while also facing up to the challenges of measuring and reducing its own environmental footprint.
Recognising the role of the climate crisis in amplifying humanitarian needs, MSF is adapting its operations to be more responsive to the populations it serves while also facing up to the challenges of measuring and reducing its own environmental footprint.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Ann Work Expo Health. 2018 December 8; Volume 63 (Issue 1); 1-8.; DOI:10.1093/annweh/wxy095
Gottesfeld P, Tirima S, Anka SM, Fotso A, Nota MM
Ann Work Expo Health. 2018 December 8; Volume 63 (Issue 1); 1-8.; DOI:10.1093/annweh/wxy095
PURPOSE
An ongoing health crisis across a large area of Northern Nigeria has resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of cases of lead poisoning from artisanal small-scale gold mining. Occupational Knowledge International (OK International) and Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) have formed a partnership to conduct a pilot project to introduce safer mining practices in selected communities. The primary objective was to reduce lead exposures among artisanal small-scale miners and minimize take home exposures by reducing dust contamination on clothing and body surfaces.
METHODS
Personal air samples were collected from miners and ore processors before and after the introduction of wet spray misting in mine processing activities to crush and grind gold ore. We measured reductions in total airborne lead and respirable silica dust levels. A total of 44 air samples were collected for airborne lead using NIOSH method 7082 and 29 air samples for respirable silica dust with NIOSH method 7500.
RESULTS
Low-cost interventions to convert dry ore processing to wet methods with spray misting were effective at reducing arithmetic mean airborne lead levels by 95%. Mean airborne respirable silica (quartz) was reduced by 80% following the introduction of wet spray misting. Differences in geometric means between wet and dry ore processing methods were statistically significant for both airborne lead and respirable silica.
CONCLUSIONS
This pilot project has been successful in working cooperatively with miners to provide them with the necessary information and tools to reduce exposures in mining and processing, and minimize off-site contamination. As silica dust is a significant risk factor for silicosis and tuberculosis (TB), this intervention could provide public health benefits to small-scale mining communities even in areas without significant lead concentrations in the ore. Significant reductions in respirable silica and lead exposures are feasible in low-resource, small-scale mining communities.
An ongoing health crisis across a large area of Northern Nigeria has resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of cases of lead poisoning from artisanal small-scale gold mining. Occupational Knowledge International (OK International) and Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) have formed a partnership to conduct a pilot project to introduce safer mining practices in selected communities. The primary objective was to reduce lead exposures among artisanal small-scale miners and minimize take home exposures by reducing dust contamination on clothing and body surfaces.
METHODS
Personal air samples were collected from miners and ore processors before and after the introduction of wet spray misting in mine processing activities to crush and grind gold ore. We measured reductions in total airborne lead and respirable silica dust levels. A total of 44 air samples were collected for airborne lead using NIOSH method 7082 and 29 air samples for respirable silica dust with NIOSH method 7500.
RESULTS
Low-cost interventions to convert dry ore processing to wet methods with spray misting were effective at reducing arithmetic mean airborne lead levels by 95%. Mean airborne respirable silica (quartz) was reduced by 80% following the introduction of wet spray misting. Differences in geometric means between wet and dry ore processing methods were statistically significant for both airborne lead and respirable silica.
CONCLUSIONS
This pilot project has been successful in working cooperatively with miners to provide them with the necessary information and tools to reduce exposures in mining and processing, and minimize off-site contamination. As silica dust is a significant risk factor for silicosis and tuberculosis (TB), this intervention could provide public health benefits to small-scale mining communities even in areas without significant lead concentrations in the ore. Significant reductions in respirable silica and lead exposures are feasible in low-resource, small-scale mining communities.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2020 January 23; Volume 14 (Issue 1); e0007972.; DOI:10.1371/journal.pntd.0007972
Farley ES, Lenglet AD, Abubakar A, Bil K, Fotso A, et al.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2020 January 23; Volume 14 (Issue 1); e0007972.; DOI:10.1371/journal.pntd.0007972
BACKGROUND
Noma is an orofacial gangrene that rapidly disintegrates the tissues of the face. Little is known about noma, as most patients live in underserved and inaccessible regions. We aimed to assess the descriptive language used and beliefs around noma, at the Noma Children's Hospital in Sokoto, Nigeria. Findings will be used to inform prevention programs.
METHODS
Five focus group discussions (FGD) were held with caretakers of patients with noma who were admitted to the hospital at the time of interview, and 12 in-depth interviews (IDI) were held with staff at the hospital. Topic guides used for interviews were adapted to encourage the natural flow of conversation. Emergent codes, patterns and themes were deciphered from the data derived from IDI's and FGDs.
RESULTS
Our study uncovered two main themes: names, descriptions and explanations for the disease, and risks and consequences of noma. Naming of the disease differed between caretakers and heath care workers. The general names used for noma illustrate the beliefs and social system used to explain the disease. Beliefs were varied; participant responses demonstrate a wide range of understanding of the disease and its causes. Difficulty in accessing care for patients with noma was evident and the findings suggest a variety of actions taking place before reaching a health center or health worker. Patient caretakers mentioned that barriers to care included a lack of knowledge regarding this medical condition, as well as a lack of trust in seeking medical care. Participants in our study spoke of the mental health strain the disease placed on them, particularly due to the stigma that is associated with noma.
CONCLUSIONS
Caretaker and practitioner perspectives enhance our understanding of the disease in this context and can be used to improve treatment and prevention programs, and to better understand barriers to accessing health care. Differences in disease naming illustrate the difference in beliefs about the disease. This has an impact on health seeking behaviours, which for noma cases has important ramifications on outcomes, due to the rapid progression of the disease.
Noma is an orofacial gangrene that rapidly disintegrates the tissues of the face. Little is known about noma, as most patients live in underserved and inaccessible regions. We aimed to assess the descriptive language used and beliefs around noma, at the Noma Children's Hospital in Sokoto, Nigeria. Findings will be used to inform prevention programs.
METHODS
Five focus group discussions (FGD) were held with caretakers of patients with noma who were admitted to the hospital at the time of interview, and 12 in-depth interviews (IDI) were held with staff at the hospital. Topic guides used for interviews were adapted to encourage the natural flow of conversation. Emergent codes, patterns and themes were deciphered from the data derived from IDI's and FGDs.
RESULTS
Our study uncovered two main themes: names, descriptions and explanations for the disease, and risks and consequences of noma. Naming of the disease differed between caretakers and heath care workers. The general names used for noma illustrate the beliefs and social system used to explain the disease. Beliefs were varied; participant responses demonstrate a wide range of understanding of the disease and its causes. Difficulty in accessing care for patients with noma was evident and the findings suggest a variety of actions taking place before reaching a health center or health worker. Patient caretakers mentioned that barriers to care included a lack of knowledge regarding this medical condition, as well as a lack of trust in seeking medical care. Participants in our study spoke of the mental health strain the disease placed on them, particularly due to the stigma that is associated with noma.
CONCLUSIONS
Caretaker and practitioner perspectives enhance our understanding of the disease in this context and can be used to improve treatment and prevention programs, and to better understand barriers to accessing health care. Differences in disease naming illustrate the difference in beliefs about the disease. This has an impact on health seeking behaviours, which for noma cases has important ramifications on outcomes, due to the rapid progression of the disease.