K M Zierold1, S Garman, H Anderson. 1. University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. Zierold@gwm.sc.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Little information exists on injury and factors associated with injury in working youth aged 10-14 years. Most studies do not involve children younger than 15. METHODS: A cross-sectional anonymous survey was administered to middle school students in five school districts and one large urban school in October 2001. RESULTS: Of the 3189 working middle school students who responded to the survey, the majority were employed in informal job settings, such as working for someone in a home, newspaper delivery, and working on family farms or in family businesses. Overall, 18% of children reported being injured at work. Of those injured, 26% reported that their injury was severe enough to affect their activities for more than three days. Variables that were associated with injury included having a "near-miss" incident at work (AOR 6.61, 95% CI 4.92 to 8.89), having a co-worker injured (AOR 2.65, 95% CI 1.95 to 3.60), and being asked to do something dangerous (AOR 2.25, 95% CI 1.61 to 3.14). CONCLUSIONS: Children are working and being injured in jobs that are not covered by existing child labour laws. Injury rates in non-covered occupations are high, warranting review of current laws.
BACKGROUND: Little information exists on injury and factors associated with injury in working youth aged 10-14 years. Most studies do not involve children younger than 15. METHODS: A cross-sectional anonymous survey was administered to middle school students in five school districts and one large urban school in October 2001. RESULTS: Of the 3189 working middle school students who responded to the survey, the majority were employed in informal job settings, such as working for someone in a home, newspaper delivery, and working on family farms or in family businesses. Overall, 18% of children reported being injured at work. Of those injured, 26% reported that their injury was severe enough to affect their activities for more than three days. Variables that were associated with injury included having a "near-miss" incident at work (AOR 6.61, 95% CI 4.92 to 8.89), having a co-worker injured (AOR 2.65, 95% CI 1.95 to 3.60), and being asked to do something dangerous (AOR 2.25, 95% CI 1.61 to 3.14). CONCLUSIONS:Children are working and being injured in jobs that are not covered by existing child labour laws. Injury rates in non-covered occupations are high, warranting review of current laws.
Authors: Amelia M Usher; Curtis Breslin; Ellen MacEachen; Mieke Koehoorn; Marie Laberge; Luc Laberge; Élise Ledoux; Imelda Wong Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2014-10-01 Impact factor: 3.295