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

Abstract

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.

Conceptualization of Child Labour: Contemporary Understanding and Gaps

“…The findings are consistent with the ongoing debate about the distinction between child work and child labour (Aufseeser et al 2018;Okyere et al 2023;Whetten et al 2011). Child work is considered light work and age-appropriate work that children undertake (Okyere et al 2023).…”

Conceptualization of Child Labour: Contemporary Understanding and Gaps

“…The findings are consistent with the ongoing debate about the distinction between child work and child labour (Aufseeser et al 2018;Okyere et al 2023;Whetten et al 2011). Child work is considered light work and age-appropriate work that children undertake (Okyere et al 2023).…”

Assessment of provider-initiated HIV screening in Nigeria with sub-Saharan African comparison

“…Thirdly, studies from South Africa and Burkina Faso found lower prevalence of HIV testing among males [ 18 , 41 ]; however, our assessment of the PITC strategy among males was challenging because fewer males compared to females presented to the facility. This male pattern of health seeking behaviour has been reported elsewhere [ 42 – 44 ]. Fourthly, the HIV prevalence observed in this study may not be representative of the overall HIV prevalence in the community because primary health centres in the local environment also provided HIV VCT services to patients.…”

“I Didn't Tell Anyone Because I Was Very Afraid”: Girls' Experiences of Menstruation in Contemporary Ethiopia

“…These findings are consistent with the minimal but growing body of empirical qualitative literature on girls’ experiences of menstruation across the globe including in Sub-Saharan Africa (Phillips-Howard et al, 2015; Caruso et al, 2014; Sommer, 2013; Crichton et al, 2013; McMahon et al, 2011; Piper Pillitterri, 2011; Sommer, 2010; Adinma & Adinma, 2008), Asia (Sommer, Ackatia-Armah, Connolly, & Smiles, 2014; Haver et al, 2013), and Latin America (Long et al, 2015; Long et al, 2013), which suggests that such challenges are all too common. The findings also reinforce the critical importance of capturing girls’ own perspectives on the social, cultural and economic contextual factors directly affecting their lives.…”

Conceptualization of Child Labour: Contemporary Understanding and Gaps

“…The findings are consistent with the ongoing debate about the distinction between child work and child labour (Aufseeser et al 2018;Okyere et al 2023;Whetten et al 2011). Child work is considered light work and age-appropriate work that children undertake (Okyere et al 2023).…”

Assessment of provider-initiated HIV screening in Nigeria with sub-Saharan African comparison

“…Thirdly, studies from South Africa and Burkina Faso found lower prevalence of HIV testing among males [ 18 , 41 ]; however, our assessment of the PITC strategy among males was challenging because fewer males compared to females presented to the facility. This male pattern of health seeking behaviour has been reported elsewhere [ 42 – 44 ]. Fourthly, the HIV prevalence observed in this study may not be representative of the overall HIV prevalence in the community because primary health centres in the local environment also provided HIV VCT services to patients.…”

“I Didn't Tell Anyone Because I Was Very Afraid”: Girls' Experiences of Menstruation in Contemporary Ethiopia

“…These findings are consistent with the minimal but growing body of empirical qualitative literature on girls’ experiences of menstruation across the globe including in Sub-Saharan Africa (Phillips-Howard et al, 2015; Caruso et al, 2014; Sommer, 2013; Crichton et al, 2013; McMahon et al, 2011; Piper Pillitterri, 2011; Sommer, 2010; Adinma & Adinma, 2008), Asia (Sommer, Ackatia-Armah, Connolly, & Smiles, 2014; Haver et al, 2013), and Latin America (Long et al, 2015; Long et al, 2013), which suggests that such challenges are all too common. The findings also reinforce the critical importance of capturing girls’ own perspectives on the social, cultural and economic contextual factors directly affecting their lives.…”

Conceptualization of Child Labour: Contemporary Understanding and Gaps

“…The findings are consistent with the ongoing debate about the distinction between child work and child labour (Aufseeser et al 2018;Okyere et al 2023;Whetten et al 2011). Child work is considered light work and age-appropriate work that children undertake (Okyere et al 2023).…”

Assessment of provider-initiated HIV screening in Nigeria with sub-Saharan African comparison

“…Thirdly, studies from South Africa and Burkina Faso found lower prevalence of HIV testing among males [ 18 , 41 ]; however, our assessment of the PITC strategy among males was challenging because fewer males compared to females presented to the facility. This male pattern of health seeking behaviour has been reported elsewhere [ 42 – 44 ]. Fourthly, the HIV prevalence observed in this study may not be representative of the overall HIV prevalence in the community because primary health centres in the local environment also provided HIV VCT services to patients.…”

“I Didn't Tell Anyone Because I Was Very Afraid”: Girls' Experiences of Menstruation in Contemporary Ethiopia

“…These findings are consistent with the minimal but growing body of empirical qualitative literature on girls’ experiences of menstruation across the globe including in Sub-Saharan Africa (Phillips-Howard et al, 2015; Caruso et al, 2014; Sommer, 2013; Crichton et al, 2013; McMahon et al, 2011; Piper Pillitterri, 2011; Sommer, 2010; Adinma & Adinma, 2008), Asia (Sommer, Ackatia-Armah, Connolly, & Smiles, 2014; Haver et al, 2013), and Latin America (Long et al, 2015; Long et al, 2013), which suggests that such challenges are all too common. The findings also reinforce the critical importance of capturing girls’ own perspectives on the social, cultural and economic contextual factors directly affecting their lives.…”