Child Labour Practices And Associated Hazards In UmunaOrlu South East Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Child labour deprives children of their childhood potentials, mental and social development. It is very common in our communities and exposes them to so many dangers. Aim: To evaluate the practice and hazards of street hawking among children in UmunaOrlu South East Nigeria. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study in which data was collected from one hundred and fifty child hawkers in UmunaOrlu using semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaires. The data was collated and analyzed using Microsoft excel package. Results were presented in frequency tables, bar charts and pie charts. Results: Most of the child hawker 89(59.3%) were within the age group of 9 to 13years with females 87 (58%) being in the majority. Most of the children attained only primary education 111 (74%), with 84 (56%) of them living with both parents. Food and other edibles were the most commonly hawked items 109(72.4%). Twentyfour (48%) hawked their wares after school hours while 25 (50%) hawked all through the day. Twenty-four have experienced sexual harassments, out of which 6 were complicated by unwanted pregnancy. Besides, 120 expressed discontent with hawking while 51 of them have been involved in one accident or another. Conclusion: The burden of child hawking with its attendant hazards in Orlu are quite enormous. Relevant legislations against this menace and strict enforcement of such laws are recommended.