Occupational injuries among children and adolescents in Cusco Province: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough the number of child laborers in Latin America is generally high, data on occupational hazards and injuries is insufficient. The objective of this study was therefore to determine the lifetime prevalence of and risk factors for occupational injuries among working students (10–17 years old) in Cusco Province.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at five public night schools. 375 students (response 91.5%) completed an interview-based questionnaire on socio-demographics, work-related factors, and lifetime prevalence of occupational injuries. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate risk factors for different types and causes of occupational injuries.ResultsFalls (11%), car accidents (9%) and physical violence (3%) were common causes of injuries in this population. Severe injuries (fractures, luxation or amputations) were reported by 3% of the population. A high daily income (≥20 PEN, ~15 USD) was a statistically significant predictor for injuries caused by falls [OR 2.8; 95% CI 1.2-6.5] and physical violence at work [12.1; 1.3-115.9] whereas children born in Cusco and those working in the service sector were at higher risk of injuries caused by car accidents [3.7; 1.5-9.3 and 4.2; 1.2-15.3].ConclusionsOccupational accidents among child workers attending public night schools are common in Cusco with a lifetime prevalence of 3% for severe injuries. High income seems to convince child laborers to accept poor working conditions.

Exposures Resulting in Safety and Health Concerns for Child Laborers in Less Developed Countries

“…In these five studies, in summary, the major exposure of concern was social stress, typically as related to lower family SES, and the major outcome of concern was loss of education due to absence from school and/or some form of abuse [ 65 – 69 ]. In addition, Schlick et al covered nonagricultural, nonmining work and domestic work in Cusco Province of Peru [ 70 ]. In this study, physical hazards resulting in falls were the greatest reported concern [ 70 ].…”

“…In addition, Schlick et al covered nonagricultural, nonmining work and domestic work in Cusco Province of Peru [ 70 ]. In this study, physical hazards resulting in falls were the greatest reported concern [ 70 ]. It should also be noted how in two of these five studies gender showed varying results—there were differences reported by Naeem et al in Pakistan [ 67 ], where most girls—outnumbered compared to the boys 1 : 5 in the study sample—were reported to work as domestic servants or as pickers through garbage at dumpsites, but no statistically significant differences were reported by Shafiq in Bangladesh [ 66 ].…”

“…Studies cited in this review consistently documented how children of poor families/communities, that is, of lower SES, are at increased risk of being involved in child labor [ 14 , 20 , 23 , 67 , 70 , 76 ] and therefore potentially missing out on education at school or at home, but not always [ 12 , 17 , 18 , 21 , 50 , 65 , 66 ]. Consequently, while labor policy and enforcement are critical to addressing this global problem, they cannot eradicate it in isolation—the broader problem of poverty must also be addressed, and the capacity to deliver compulsory primary education through age 15 [ 4 , 5 ] must be ensured.…”

Acidentes de Trabalho: Percepção do Adolescente

“…Em relação aos acidentes de trabalho e doenças decorrentes, 4 alunos dessa amostra referiram ter sofrido essas situações, problemática essa, bastante preocupante, principalmente quando se trata dessa faixa etária em que a repercussão de um AT pode modificar completamente sua trajetória social. De fato, um estudo realizado na Província de Cusco (Perú), com 375 alunos trabalhadores situados na faixa etária de 10 a 17 anos, 72% referiram já ter sofrido lesões leves (cortes e abrasões), 3% relataram ter-se envolvido em lesões graves (amputações, luxação e fraturas) 21 .…”

Distribución espacial de los accidentes y enfermedades relacionados con el trabajo en el Perú, 2012-2014

“…de las lesiones y enfermedades ocupacionales. A manera de ejemplificar lo anterior, un estudio en Cusco realizado en menores trabajadores mostró una prevalencia de lesiones graves del 3%, las cuales muchas veces ocurrieron bajo condiciones laborales deficientes (14) y, por otro lado, está la alta tasa de trabajo informal que aún fluctúa en más del 50% (15) .…”