Variation in silicosis prevalence in South African gold miners : an industry-wide study

This study investigates the prevalence of silicosis in the South African gold mining industry. Gold mining is an important industry in South Africa, yet has been blighted by silicosis and tuberculosis in miners since its inception in 1887. There have been two previous studies conducted in black in-service miners using modern epidemiologic methods that found high prevalences of silicosis .The objectives of our study were three-fold. Firstly, to determine silicosis prevalence stratified by certain variables. Secondly, to compare silicosis prevalences to these two previous studies conducted in order to determine whether any secular trends are present. Thirdly, to report on any variation in silicosis between mining shaft, mining company or mining region, and to generate hypotheses for any variation found.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Public Health and Family Medicine

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Knight, Dave

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Ehrlich, Rodney

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/12412

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/12412