Child labor intensity and functional difficulties in children and adolescents: A cross-sectional secondary data analysis of 40 national surveys in low- and middle-income countries.

BACKGROUND

Child and adolescent labor intensity, including the number of working hours and tasks performed, is both a cause and consequence of functional difficulties in children, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where the prevalence of these difficulties is not well understood.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of functional difficulties among child laborers and explore the association between labor intensity and these difficulties.

PARTICIPANTS AND

SETTING

We analyzed data from 344,721 children aged 5 to 17 years from recent Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys conducted in 36 mostly LMICs.

METHODS

Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios for the association between child labor intensity and functional difficulties.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of functional difficulties was 18.1 % (95 % CI: 18.0-18.2), with notable country variations-ranging from 2.9 % in Belarus and Montenegro to 41.9 % in Roma Settlements, North Macedonia. Major risk factors for functional difficulties included living in urban areas, lower education, lower wealth, residing in West & Central Africa, performing income-related work, and engaging in tasks like carrying heavy loads or fetching water. Protective factors included younger age, fewer working hours, and residing in Europe & Central Asia.

CONCLUSION

The study highlights that UNICEF's indicators of child labor intensity are closely associated with functional difficulties. Global strategies to reduce child labor should focus on improving child and caregiver education, early identification, and treatment of functional difficulties, with particular emphasis on LMICs.