Burden of Infectious Diseases in Mobile Migrants in Gold Mining Areas in Suriname's Interior.

INTRODUCTION

Mobile migrants are subject to restricted healthcare access, which may result in the spread of certain infectious diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the burden of a subset of priority infectious diseases in mobile migrants in remote gold mining areas in the forested interior of Suriname.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study enrolled mobile migrants in 13 study sites between January and June 2022. Participants underwent a structured interview, physical examination, and additional diagnostic procedures if applicable. Frequency tables were used to calculate the burden of disease.

RESULTS

Among the 370 participants, weight loss (21%), coughing (21%), and fever (16%) were the most common symptoms. Six HIV infections, two cases of leprosy, and 15 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) were detected. The prevalence of CL was 4.1%, of HIV (in age group 15 - 49 yrs) was 1.5%, and of leprosy was 0.5%. No cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis (pTB) were identified.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed significant numbers of the infectious diseases examined, except for pTB. This emphasizes the urge to improve healthcare access in remote and underserved populations to prevent poor outcomes if individuals remain undiagnosed and untreated and to prevent the further spread of contagious infectious diseases among the general population.