Relation of Urinary Mercury Level to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome among Workers of Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining: A Study of 3 Districts in West Nusa Tenggara Province and Lebak District of Banten Province, Indonesia

Introduction. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a collection of symptoms from a substantial reduction in the ability to engage in preillness levels of occupational, educational, social, or personal activities that persists for more than six months and is accompanied by fatigue, post-exertional malaise, and unrefreshing sleep. One of the effects of heavy metal exposure is the occurrence of CFS among workers. Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) workers used mercury in their work, and this leads to a higher risk of chronic mercury poisoning. One of the health problems due to mercury exposure is the occurrence of CFS and this has not been studied among ASGM workers. Objective. This study intended to discover the prevalence of CFS among ASGM workers and the factors associated with it. Method. This study used a cross-sectional design to find the relationship between independent variables such as age, sex, working period as a miner, type of work activities in ASGM, and cumulative urinary mercury levels with CFS in ASGM workers in West Nusa Tenggara and Banten province. CFS was measured using standardized questionnaire on effect on mercury released by WHO-UNEP, and creatinine-corrected urinary mercury levels. Results. The prevalence of CFS in ASGM workers in West Nusa Tenggara and Banten provinces was 17.9%. Based on the results, the factors of age, sex, work period, type of work, province of origin and cumulative urinary mercury levels did not have a statistically significant relationship with CFS (p> 0.05). Conclusion. There was no significant relationship between age, sex, work period, type of work, urinary mercury level and cumulative urinary mercury levels with CFS in ASGM workers.