Prevalence of alcohol and cannabis use and reported knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding its relationship with health and safety on mines in South Africa

Abstract

Alcohol misuse is a major public health concern in South Africa today. Substance use, and its relationship with mining accidents, has been documented worldwide. It can also lead increased sickness, deaths, and health care utilisation, which may translate into heavy financial losses to the mining industry. However, despite the fact that South Africa is one of the major mining countries in the world, inadequate information exists about substance use among mineworkers. The objectives of this study include the following: to determine the prevalence of alcohol and cannabis use among mine workers in South Africa, to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding alcohol and cannabis use amongst miners, and its relationship to health and safety, to determine factors which influence alcohol and cannabis use and to make the findings available to all stakeholders, so that appropriate recommendations can be implemented.