Health care of Brazilian women working in clandestine mining sites within the French Amazon rainforest

Objective: This study aims to understand how health care is offered to Brazilian women working in clandestine mining sites in the French Amazon rainforest. Methodology: A qualitative study was carried out with 19 women working in clandestine mining sites in the French Amazon rainforest, who were predominantly aged between 30-39 years. A non-directive interview was conducted, recorded, and transcribed in its entirety. Data were analyzed through content analysis. Results: During analysis, three thematic categories were found: major diseases that affect women in the mining site, which were predominantly cited as malaria and cutaneous leishmaniasis; access to health care services, which are accessed predominantly in cities within French Guiana; and treatment of diseases, mainly carried out at the mining site. Conclusion: This study showed that the health and illness contexts of women in clandestine mining areas are critical. Access to health services is limited and health problems are mainly malaria, leishmaniasis, anemia and asthenia, which are solved in the garment environment, usually with the use of medicines from French Guiana.