Child work and labour among orphaned and abandoned children in five low and middle income countries

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Research Article

Megan Buckner¹  Rachel Whetten¹  Brian Wells Pence²  Nathan Thielman³  Karen O'Donnell⁴  Jan Ostermann⁵  Lynne Messer⁵  Kathryn Whetten⁵ 

[1] Center for Health Policy, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA;Center for Health Policy, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA;Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA;Center for Health Policy, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA;Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA;Center for Health Policy, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA;Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA;Center for Child and Family Health, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA;Center for Health Policy, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA;Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA;

关键词: Adjusted Odds Ratio;    Child Labour;    School Attendance;    International Labour Organization;    Household Chore;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1472-698X-11-1

 received in 2010-10-08, accepted in 2011-01-13,  发布年份 2011

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe care and protection of the estimated 143,000,000 orphaned and abandoned children (OAC) worldwide is of great importance to global policy makers and child service providers in low and middle income countries (LMICs), yet little is known about rates of child labour among OAC, what child and caregiver characteristics predict child engagement in work and labour, or when such work infers with schooling. This study examines rates and correlates of child labour among OAC and associations of child labour with schooling in a cohort of OAC in 5 LMICs.MethodsThe Positive Outcomes for Orphans (POFO) study employed a two-stage random sampling survey methodology to identify 1480 single and double orphans and children abandoned by both parents ages 6-12 living in family settings in five LMICs: Cambodia, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, and Tanzania. Regression models examined child and caregiver associations with: any work versus no work; and with working <21, 21-27, and 28+ hours during the past week, and child labour (UNICEF definition).ResultsThe majority of OAC (60.7%) engaged in work during the past week, and of those who worked, 17.8% (10.5% of the total sample) worked 28 or more hours. More than one-fifth (21.9%; 13% of the total sample) met UNICEF's child labour definition. Female OAC and those in good health had increased odds of working. OAC living in rural areas, lower household wealth and caregivers not earning an income were associated with increased child labour. Child labour, but not working fewer than 28 hours per week, was associated with decreased school attendance.ConclusionsOne in seven OAC in this study were reported to be engaged in child labour. Policy makers and social service providers need to pay close attention to the demands being placed on female OAC, particularly in rural areas and poor households with limited income sources. Programs to promote OAC school attendance may need to focus on the needs of families as well as the OAC.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Whetten et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2011