Workplace abuse and economic exploitation of children working in the streets of Latin American cities

Int J Occup Environ Health. 2010 Apr-Jun;16(2):162-9.

Abstract

This study presents the prevalence of, and factors associated with workplace abuse and economic exploitation among 584 children ages 5 to 17 working in the streets of the Latin American cities of Bogotá, Lima, Quito, and São Paulo. Each additional 10 hours/week of children's work in the streets increased workplace abuse prevalence by 8% (odds ratio [OR], 1.08; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.01-1.19). Suffering an occupational injury was associated with abuse (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.13-2.57). Participation in begging was associated with an almost five-fold increase in economic exploitation (OR, 4.94; 95% CI, 1.96-12.48). Children residing with their mothers were 2.6 times more likely to experience economic exploitation (OR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.58-4.33), reflecting our definition of economic exploitation in which a child's income is confiscated by parents, even if used for basic family needs. Increased health care coverage and conditional cash transfer programs are recommended to improve the situation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Employment / economics*
  • Employment / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Latin America
  • Male
  • Occupational Diseases / etiology
  • Occupational Exposure / statistics & numerical data
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data*
  • Workplace / economics*
  • Workplace / statistics & numerical data*
  • Wounds and Injuries / etiology