Child Labor and Associated Problems in a Rural Town in South West Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Child labor is the single most common form of child abuse and neglect in the world today. It includes both paid and unpaid work and activities that are mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children. However, information on the magnitude of the problem is scarce.

Objective: To determine the magnitude of child labor and problems associated with it in Shebe rural town, South West Ethiopia.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in January 2001 to assess problems associated with child labor. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire addressed to children between ages 5-14 years inclusive. Systematic sampling technique was used and a total of 289 children were interviewed. Data collected included the sociodemographic characteristics of parents and children, variables on economic activity, schooling, conditions of work, work related injuries as well as abuses and exploitation faced at work.

Result: Overall 78.9% of the children were working, either as paid workers (15.3%) or unpaid family workers (63.7%). The common sectors of work were domestic (56.4%) followed by agriculture (11.1%). More girls than boys are working. 31.2% of child workers spent on average
more than 8 hours per day. Abuses encountered at work were verbal/emotional (49.6%), physical (27.2%) and sexual (2.2%). Schoolwork had been widely practiced as the result of which 31.7% of the working children had encountered work related injuries, out of which 1.8% had disabilities.

Conclusion: The study revealed that child labor was widely practiced. It had affected the children's health and schooling. It had also predisposed them to exploitation and different forms of abuse. Based on these findings recommendations are made. [Ethiop.J.health Dev. 2003;17(1):45-52]