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

BACKGROUND

The 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.

METHODS

The 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).

RESULTS

The 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.

CONCLUSIONS

One 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.

Drug use among street children and non--street children in the Philippines

This study characterizes the prevalence of drug use among Filipino street children compared with Filipino non-street children. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 311 street children and 528 non-street children aged 13 to 17 years. Participants were enrolled through 4 nonprofit organizations and 3 high schools located in Manila, Philippines. After adjustment for age and sex, street children with little or no contact with their families were 2.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.7-2.3) times more likely to smoke tobacco, 1.3 (95% CI = 1.2-1.5) times more likely to use alcohol, 36.7 (95% CI = 16.4-82.0) times more likely to use inhalants, and 5.5 (95% CI = 3.6-8.2) times more likely to use illegal drugs than their non-street counterparts. Street children who maintained contact with their families, compared with non-street children, were 8.7 (95% CI = 3.9-19.4) times more likely to use inhalants and 2.8 (95% CI = 1.7-4.6) times more likely to use illegal drugs. There was no significant difference in tobacco or alcohol use between street children who maintained contact with their families and non-street children. All street children were significantly more likely to have been given or sold a drug in the past 30 days and to have received drug education compared with non-street children. Filipino street children are at greater risk of abusing drugs than are non-street children, with street children who do not maintain family contact being at greatest risk.

Characterizing health behaviors and infectious disease prevalence among Filipino street children

PURPOSE

To describe health problems and social, environmental, and health behavior characteristics among street children in Manila, Philippines.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey and clinical tests that included chest radiographs blood, urine, and stool samples were completed with 179 street children, ages 8-17 years, served by Childhope-Asia Philippines.

RESULTS

The most frequently occurring health problem was coughing, followed by fever, dyspnea, diarrhea, and then blood in the stools. Males compared with females were more likely to be kicked, punched, or slapped by an adult. Among males, 65% are current smokers and 52% have consumed alcohol. Among females, 37% are current smokers and 67% have consumed alcohol. The percentage of children with low hemoglobin was 91% for males and 16% for females. The percentage of children with low hematocrit was 69% for males and 22% for females. Of all children tested, 7.9% had hepatitis B, 12.3% had pneumonia, and 25.5% had ascariasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Filipino street children have a high level of infectious disease, with females experiencing higher levels of coughing, dyspnea, and fever whereas males had higher levels of diarrhea. Males are more likely to be physically abused and to smoke tobacco whereas females are more likely to drink alcohol. Both males and females experienced depression and anxiety and many children were sexually active. Diseases common among the population are pneumonia, anemia, hepatitis B and ascariasis, primarily due to their lack of adequate nutrition, close living proximity, and unsanitary living conditions.