Sexual and reproductive health of women living on illegal gold mining sites in French Guiana: a multicentric cross-sectional survey

@article{douine2026sexual,
  title = {{Sexual and reproductive health of women living on illegal gold mining sites in French Guiana: a multicentric cross-sectional survey}},
  author = {Maylis Douine and Maylis Douine and Alice Sanna and Alice Sanna and Teddy Bardon and Marion Petit-Sinturel and Lorraine Plessis and Carlotta Carboni and Carlotta Carboni and Raphaëlle Le Querriou and Josiane Miller and Jane Bordallo-Miller and Aude Lucarelli and Astrid Van Melle and Astrid Van Melle and Céline Michaud and Célia Basurko and Célia Basurko and Mathieu Nacher and Mathieu Nacher and Antoine Adenis and Antoine Adenis and Stephen Vreden and Martha Suarez-Mutis and Yann Lambert and Yann Lambert},
  journal = {Frontiers in Global Women's Health},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3389/fgwh.2026.1887897},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2026.1887897},
  note = {CC BY},
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Sexual and reproductive health of women living on illegal gold mining sites in French Guiana: a multicentric cross-sectional survey
AU  - Maylis Douine
AU  - Maylis Douine
AU  - Alice Sanna
AU  - Alice Sanna
AU  - Teddy Bardon
AU  - Marion Petit-Sinturel
AU  - Lorraine Plessis
AU  - Carlotta Carboni
AU  - Carlotta Carboni
AU  - Raphaëlle Le Querriou
AU  - Josiane Miller
AU  - Jane Bordallo-Miller
AU  - Aude Lucarelli
AU  - Astrid Van Melle
AU  - Astrid Van Melle
AU  - Céline Michaud
AU  - Célia Basurko
AU  - Célia Basurko
AU  - Mathieu Nacher
AU  - Mathieu Nacher
AU  - Antoine Adenis
AU  - Antoine Adenis
AU  - Stephen Vreden
AU  - Martha Suarez-Mutis
AU  - Yann Lambert
AU  - Yann Lambert
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/26
JO  - Frontiers in Global Women's Health
DO  - 10.3389/fgwh.2026.1887897
UR  - https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2026.1887897
AB  - BackgroundWomen involved in illegal gold mining in French Guiana face intersecting vulnerabilities related to migration, informality, and precarious living and working conditions, which heighten their exposure to sexual and gender-based violence and undermine sexual and reproductive health. However, quantitative data on these issues in this population remain scarce. This study aimed to document the sexual and reproductive health of these marginalized women.MethodsA cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among women involved in illegal gold mining. Participants were recruited at logistical bases at the borders with Suriname and Brazil. After providing informed consent, participants were interviewed by trained field investigators using a standardized questionnaire. It collected information on sociodemographic characteristics, exposure to sexual and gender-based violence, engagement in transactional sex, obstetrical history, access to gynecological care, and testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods.ResultsAmong the 115 women included, 14.0% reported sexual assault or rape (95% CI: 8.2–21.8), and 19.1% reported intimate partner violence. Regarding transactional sex, 9.5% of women were currently engaged in sex work, and 8.7% reported past involvement, among whom 80.9% reported systematic condom use. Overall, 15.6% of women reported a history of induced abortion (95% CI: 9.5–23.6), and half were performed by a healthcare provider. Most participants (80.0%) reported up-to-date gynecological follow-up (95% CI: 71.5–86.8). Previous HIV testing was relatively common (65.2%), whereas testing for hepatitis B (33.9%), hepatitis C (28.7%), and syphilis (35.6%) were less frequent.ConclusionsWomen working in mining areas faced high levels of sexual and intimate partner violence, while transactional sex appeared less aligned with commonly held stereotypes. Despite relatively good access to gynecological care, abortion rates remained high and STIs screening coverage could be improved. Promoting systematic screening for gender-based violence within sexual and reproductive health services is essential.Clinical Trial Registration: NCT05540470.
SN  - 2673-5059
ER  -