Water plays an essential role in the survival and health of living beings, as well as in the socio-economic development of communities. When it is intended for consumption, it must be free from any contamination, whether of chemical or biological origin, likely to be harmful to human health (1). Water pollution is therefore a major public health problem. A number of factors, both natural and man-made, are known to have a negative impact on water quality. These include agricultural activities, the production of industrial and municipal waste, construction, and mining operations (2).

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining is a growing activity in many countries around the world (3). It is practiced by more than 40 million people in 120 countries, providing a livelihood for between 80 and 150 million people in low- and middle-income countries (4). Despite its important role in developing the informal economy within communities, artisanal mining also has environmental disadvantages. It generates environmental stress that poses a serious threat to water resources and human health (5).

In mining, water is of vital importance not only for the mining activity but also for the consumption and hygiene of the community (6). However, water bodies are particularly vulnerable to contamination by heavy metals and micro-organisms because of the poor hygiene often observed in these areas (7, 8).

In Guinea, artisanal mining has been practiced for over a century in regions rich in gold and diamond (9). It is carried out in several prefectures, and the miners involved are estimated at over 200,000, with 15% of these miners coming from neighboring ECOWAS countries. For local residents, this is a seasonal activity, carried out at the end of the agricultural season (10).

The prefecture of Siguiri is an area where small-scale gold mining is carried out industrially by the Société Aurifère de Guinee (SAG) and artisanally by the local population. Mining is carried out through a dense network of shafts built along watercourses and in forest galleries (11). On the other hand, access to drinking water is a major public health and development issue worldwide. That’s why water pollution is a priority in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6, which aims to guarantee access to drinking water for all (12). According to the 2018 Guinea Demographic and Health Survey (EDS V) (13), 79% of households consume water from improved sources, compared with 30% of the rural population who use unimproved sources, and 71% of the population who do not use any water treatment.

Inadequate knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the management of water bodies can have a negative impact on water quality from the source to the place of use (14, 15). Several studies have shown the positive effects of good knowledge of water pollution and its consequences for good practice in preventing the phenomenon in sub-Saharan Africa (6, 16, 17). However, few studies have looked at people’s knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding water pollution in artisanal mining areas.

In Guinea, several studies have been carried out on artisanal mining (7, 11, 18, 19). However, none of these studies has assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the population in relation to water pollution.

The findings of this study will help to raise public awareness of water pollution, support the design of water pollution prevention projects, and raise awareness in artisanal mining areas. These efforts are also part of a global perspective, supporting international initiatives to reduce water pollution and protect vulnerable ecosystems, while promoting sustainable practices in artisanal mining areas.

The aim of this study was to assess the population’s knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to water pollution at artisanal mining sites in Siguiri.

Overall, 501 individuals participated in the survey. The mean age of participants was 32.20 ± 10.28 years, and people aged below 30 years represented more than half of the sample (n = 259; 52%). Almost 74% were men, and 63% were married at the time of the survey. At least two out of three participants (68%) were not in school, and 42% reported being mineworkers (Table 1).

Table 2 shows respondents’ level of knowledge about water pollution in artisanal mining areas. Overall, 53% of respondents had a good knowledge of water pollution. The majority (n = 476; 95%) knew that artisanal mining was a source of water pollution. Exposure to heavy metals and microbial germs could also occur via drinking water, according to 78 and 77% of respondents, respectively. About 96% said that ingesting germs could lead to diarrheal diseases. However, more than two-thirds of respondents (n = 334; 67%) did not know that ingesting large quantities of heavy metals could lead to cancer.

Table 3 summarizes respondents’ attitudes toward water pollution. Over half (n = 263; 52%) of respondents had a positive attitude about measures to prevent water pollution. Most of them (77%) said that defecating near a water source can cause contamination, and that households are obliged to build their own latrines (99%). All participants (99%) stated that boiling water can eliminate bacteria.

Table 4 shows respondents’ practices regarding water pollution. The majority (n = 453; 90%) used protected water sources for domestic activities and eight out of ten respondents treated drinking water at home. Nearly three quarters (73%) used an iron container to store water. All respondents (98%) said they used latrines. Providers who gave positive answers to these four (4) questions were classified as demonstrating good practices (n = 404; 81%) regarding water pollution.

The bivariate analysis in Table 5 showed statistically significant associations between positive attitudes to water pollution in artisanal mining area and the variables age, occupation, and level of education.

However, after adjustment by logistic regression, only level of education and origin were statistically significantly associated with positive attitudes toward water pollution in artisanal mining area. Compared to those without education, educated respondents were twice as likely to have positive attitudes towards water pollution (ORa: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.39; 3.29). In addition, being a foreigner was almost twice as likely to have positive attitudes compare to not being a foreigner (ORa: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.04; 3.51).

Table 6 shows the factors associated with good practices toward water pollution in the artisanal mining areas. The bivariate analysis showed statistically significant associations with the following variables: level of education, lifestyle, knowledge, and attitudes.

In the multivariate analysis, marital status, level of education, lifestyle and having good knowledge were statistically significantly associated with good practices toward water pollution. Being single (ORa: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.10; 3.14) and having good knowledge of water pollution (ORa: 2.51; 95% CI: 1.47; 4.36) increased the odds of having good practices regarding water pollution by almost two. However, having attended school (ORa: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.21; 0.63) was 63% less likely having a good practice towards water pollution in artisanal mining area. Compared with respondents who consumed tobacco and alcohol, those with no lifestyle (ORa: 2.51; 95% CI: 1.02; 5.97) had almost three times higher odds of having a good practice.

The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the population in relation to water pollution in the artisanal mining areas of Siguiri, as well as the associated factors. The results highlighted average knowledge, positive attitudes and adequate practices in this population. Access to safe, available and accessible drinking water is essential for every individual (24).

A good knowledge of water pollution was observed in half of the respondents. Although the majority of respondents were aware that artisanal mining contaminates water sources with heavy metals and micro-organisms, significant gaps remained in understanding the specific risks associated with long-term exposure to heavy metals. A third of participants were unaware of the link between heavy metal ingestion and the development of cancers, a proven risk according to the scientific literature (25–27). This result may be attributed to the low level of education of the population in this region, where more than half of respondents have no formal education. It may also reflect the absence of targeted awareness campaigns on the environmental and health impacts of artisanal mining. A study of the impacts of artisanal gold mining in the Republic of Guinea revealed that ineffective enforcement of mining laws and a lack of environmental education contribute to an incomplete perception of the dangers associated with artisanal mining (22). This lack of awareness underlines the importance of targeted information campaigns on the specific dangers associated with heavy metal pollution in mining areas. Campaigns must include clear information on the sources of water pollution, health risks and accessible preventive measures. A study by Ab Razak et al. (28) in Malaysia on knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning water pollution by metals reported that 80% of respondents were aware of heavy metal contamination in drinking water, and 70% knew they could be exposed to it. In another study, Berhe et al. (16) in Ethiopia found that 78.1% of adults knew about water safety, sanitation and hygiene, and that (82 to 98%) of participants recognized that unsafe drinking water can lead to diarrhea and other illnesses. Most respondents emphasized that ingesting germs could cause diarrheal diseases, which explains why eight out of ten respondents consider the presence of feces in nature to be a source of pollution. Consequently, the use of latrines is seen as essential and mandatory for every household.

Our results showed that around half the respondents have a positive attitude towards water pollution. Residents of artisanal mining areas are frequently confronted with the tangible consequences of this pollution, such as water-borne diseases, degraded water quality and limited access to clean water sources. These personal experiences can reinforce their awareness of the importance of protecting water resources. What’s more, in rural communities, water management is often seen as a collective responsibility, which can also foster positive attitudes in this regard. According to Ab Razak et al. (28), eight out of ten respondents have a positive attitude, as 59 % of participants had an intermediate level of education. Factors associated with a positive attitude in our study were respondents’ level of education and origin. Individuals with formal education were more likely to recognize the importance of water quality and to adopt environmental behaviors (29). This finding confirms that formal education is an essential lever for influencing behavior. Indeed, foreign respondents, who display more positive attitudes, have probably been exposed to better-regulated water management systems in the past. By reinforcing messages on the importance of water management, while taking into account local realities and traditional knowledge, it would be possible to broaden these favorable attitudes and transform them into sustainable behaviors.

In our study, the majority of respondents adopted good water management practices. This finding can be attributed to socio-economic conditions that influence behavior in the face of water pollution. In a context of limited resources, populations are often encouraged to adopt practices designed to protect their health and that of their families. Among these practices, we note in our study the preference for borehole water and sachet water over river or well water as the main sources of supply. The 2017 WHO/UNICEF survey (24) indicates that 48.7% of rural households in Guinea used at least one basic water supply service, reflecting increasing access to improved water sources. In addition, respondents in our study commonly adopted water treatment methods such as boiling and filtration (30, 31). This demonstrates a desire to reduce the risks associated with contamination and ensure safer water consumption (32).

Factors associated with the adoption of good practices include marital status, level of education, adequate knowledge and lifestyle. Respondents living alone may have more time and availability to inform themselves and implement preventive measures (33). However, it is paradoxical that the most educated individuals seem less inclined to follow traditional water pollution prevention practices. This may be because formal education does not sufficiently address local environmental issues, limiting specific awareness of water pollution. Although the knowledge acquired is supposed to translate into good practices, and almost all respondents reported the use of latrines, we found the presence of excrement in the environment. This highlights the gap between knowledge and action to prevent pollution (34). What’s more, people who do not have a lifestyle associated with tobacco and alcohol consumption may be more attentive to their overall health, and may be more inclined to adopt proactive behaviors, such as water treatment, to avoid water-borne illnesses. This observation could indicate greater awareness of healthy behaviors and the need to prevent water pollution.

To our knowledge, this is the first study conducted in Guinea, and possibly in Africa, to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of local populations regarding water pollution in artisanal mining areas. It provides essential information to guide future interventions, improve awareness strategies, and promote sustainable behaviors through tailored educational programs. The findings support the development of public policies aimed at mitigating the negative impacts of artisanal mining, complemented by awareness programs focused on water management, a vital resource. They also contribute to strengthening local capacities while aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 6, which seeks universal access to clean and safely managed water. Moreover, this study offers an analytical framework applicable to similar contexts in sub-Saharan Africa, representing a significant step forward in addressing water pollution in mining regions. Despite these strengths, the study has certain limitations. First, as a cross-sectional study, its findings may not be generalizable and do not establish causal relationships between independent variables and the outcomes observed. Second, the reliance on self-reported data introduces the potential for response biases. Third, the study did not include qualitative data collection, which could have provided more in-depth insights from the respondents.

This study revealed moderate knowledge, generally positive attitudes, and largely adequate practices regarding water pollution in the artisanal mining areas of Siguiri. However, significant gaps remain, including a lack of awareness about the risks of prolonged exposure to heavy metals, disparities in attitudes, and inconsistencies in the implementation of optimal practices. To remedy these shortcomings, it is essential to enhance local community knowledge through targeted campaigns on the dangers of heavy metals and educational programs tailored to the cultural and environmental realities. Transforming this knowledge into sustainable attitudes and practices is essential for promoting concrete solutions, such as adopting water treatment technologies and strengthening community initiatives. These actions would directly contribute to public health and the protection of water resources in artisanal mining areas. Establishing a strategic partnership between the government, political actors, and stakeholders is also critical to consolidating progress and addressing persistent challenges. Furthermore, future research should delve deeper into the underlying mechanisms influencing knowledge, attitudes, and practices, using a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative and qualitative methodologies.