The socio-economic consequences of unexpected health problems among mine workers are substantial. In Ghana’s artisanal mining sector, miners typically bear the full responsibility for their own health care, making it crucial to understand the factors that shape their self-care practices. This study employed a cross-sectional survey of 500 artisanal gold miners and used a nested binary logistic regression model to examine how working conditions influence miners’ decisions to voluntarily undertake routine medical checkups, even in the absence of adequate institutional support. Across all three models, indicators of working conditions significantly predicted the likelihood of seeking routine medical examinations. Miners who perceived their health, safety, and environmental conditions as favorable were more inclined to undergo routine checkups compared to those who reported poor conditions. In contrast, miners who rated their economic circumstances positively were less likely to pursue routine medical care relative to those who described poorer economic conditions. Additionally, routine checkups were less common among miners who failed to use protective measures at work and among those who had already experienced work-related health problems. Regarding compositional factors, miners with a senior high school education were more likely to seek routine medical care than those without formal schooling. Older miners also showed a greater likelihood of undergoing routine checkups compared to their younger peers. At the contextual level, miners working in shift systems and those employed in non-production departments demonstrated a higher probability of seeking routine medical examinations. Overall, the findings shed light on the complexities of self-care practices within the artisanal mining sector and point to ways these practices might be strengthened to promote a healthier workforce and its broader benefits. To enhance health awareness and preventive care among artisanal miners, a national dialogue is needed to address and improve their working conditions in Ghana.
