Mining Influences on Water Insecurity: Evidence from Ghana
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Bettye Apenteng
Location
Russell Union Ballroom
Type of Research
Completed
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
Department
Department of Health Policy and Community Health
Abstract
Background: Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) activities are associated with adverse environmental consequences, including contamination of water bodies, which can lead to water scarcity and insecurity in affected communities. Using data from a mining municipality in Ghana, a country with a proliferation of ASM, this study assesses whether mining activities are associated with a higher prevalence of water insecurity.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study based on a survey of 339 adult residents in one mining and one non-mining community in the Bekwai Municipality of Ghana. Water insecurity was measured using the Individual Water Insecurity Scale, validated in this population, and dichotomized as moderate-to-severe versus mild-to-none. The average treatment effect (ATE) was estimated using the Augmented Inverse Probability Weighting (AIPW) doubly robust causal estimation approach, adjusting for key confounding factors. The ATE estimates the average difference in the likelihood of water insecurity between adults living in mining communities and those living in non-mining communities. Results: Residence in the mining community was associated with a 14% increase in the odds of experiencing moderate-to-severe water insecurity (coefficient (log odds) = 0.134; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.045-0.223; Odds Ratio = 1.14; 95% CI = 1.05 – 1.25). Conclusion: The study provides evidence that living in an ASM-affected community is associated with a statistically higher probability of experiencing water insecurity among adults. The findings underscore the value of policy instruments and public health surveillance in assessing and addressing environmental health impacts of ASM. Keywords: mining, water insecurity, health consequences, augmented inverse probability weighting, Ghana
Program Description
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Start Date
4-23-2026 2:00 PM
End Date
4-23-2026 4:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Kennedy, April; Puobebe, Carolyn; Apenteng, Bettye A.; Opoku, Samuel T.; Gato, Worlanyo E.; Aslan, Asli; and Weindorf, David C., "Mining Influences on Water Insecurity: Evidence from Ghana" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 156.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/156
Mining Influences on Water Insecurity: Evidence from Ghana
Russell Union Ballroom
Background: Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) activities are associated with adverse environmental consequences, including contamination of water bodies, which can lead to water scarcity and insecurity in affected communities. Using data from a mining municipality in Ghana, a country with a proliferation of ASM, this study assesses whether mining activities are associated with a higher prevalence of water insecurity.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study based on a survey of 339 adult residents in one mining and one non-mining community in the Bekwai Municipality of Ghana. Water insecurity was measured using the Individual Water Insecurity Scale, validated in this population, and dichotomized as moderate-to-severe versus mild-to-none. The average treatment effect (ATE) was estimated using the Augmented Inverse Probability Weighting (AIPW) doubly robust causal estimation approach, adjusting for key confounding factors. The ATE estimates the average difference in the likelihood of water insecurity between adults living in mining communities and those living in non-mining communities. Results: Residence in the mining community was associated with a 14% increase in the odds of experiencing moderate-to-severe water insecurity (coefficient (log odds) = 0.134; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.045-0.223; Odds Ratio = 1.14; 95% CI = 1.05 – 1.25). Conclusion: The study provides evidence that living in an ASM-affected community is associated with a statistically higher probability of experiencing water insecurity among adults. The findings underscore the value of policy instruments and public health surveillance in assessing and addressing environmental health impacts of ASM. Keywords: mining, water insecurity, health consequences, augmented inverse probability weighting, Ghana
