The Influence of Illegal Gold Mining Activities toward Health of Workers in Kuantan Singingi, Indonesia

Activities of illegal gold mining in Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing), Riau Province, Indonesia has been done since 2006, initially done by migrants and then followed by local villagers. Activities of illegal gold miners use mercury (Hg) that the waste discharged into rivers and water flows into residential areas. The use of mercury in gold mining activities without a license in the District of Kuansing relatively high, ranging between 0.21 ounces until 0.5 ounces per day. The workers has direct contact with Hg and they dont use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This study aims to determine the influence of illegal gold mining activities which include length of service, the amount of Hg are used, contact with Hg and use of PPE against health problems in workers illegal gold mining of Kuansing. This research is an observational analytic with Cross Sectional. Design of population in this study were all workers illegal gold miners were scattered in Kuantan Singingi which numbered about 12, 000 people. Sampling was based cluster at 7 districts, conducted by quota and accidental sampling totaling 210 gold miners. Bivariate data analysis with chi-square test and multivariate analysis with multiple logistic regression prediction model. The survey results releaved that the use of PPE (P4) affect the occurrence of health problems in workers. Illegal workers who do not use PPE 15.4 times more at risk to suffer from symptoms of health problems compared to gold miners unlicensed workers who use PPE (CI, 95 % POR = 3.9 to 60.7). Old variable working period (P1) and a variable number of doses of Hg (P2) has no effect on the occurrence of symptoms of health problems and the variable contact with Hg (P3) is a confounding variable of PPE use. Illegal workers should be in the works to get used to using complete personal protective equipment (PPE) is complete and in accordance with the standards in order to avoid the symptoms of health problems.