Abstract
Background: Although in the developing countries, child labour is still on the increase despite several efforts to end it, little is known about rates of child labour among orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC). The paper explores levels of child labour and its relationship with psychological wellbeing among OVC in Ghana. Method: This study employed cross-sectional, quantitative survey that involved 291 children aged 10–18 years in the Lower Manya Krobo District of Ghana and examined their psychological wellbeing and child labour. Results: The findings of the present study indicate that, compared with children who were not experiencing HIV/AIDS in their families, children orphaned by AIDS and children living with HIV/AIDS-affected caregivers had higher levels of psychological symptoms. These associations were mostly unattenuated when relevant socio-demographic factors. Overall, children affected by HIV/AIDS (OVC) reported engaging in significantly more domestic chores and care responsibilities than comparison children and that child labour strongly mediates the association between orphanhood status and psychological problems. Conclusion: The findings call for the development of comprehensive intervention programmes that address both factors specific to HIV/AIDS and contextual variables such as child labour.
Highlights
Child labour is still on the increase despite several efforts to end it
It has been noted that most children upon parental illness and/orsubsequent death assume expanded household chores and adult roles that could bedistressing for them [8].What is not clear is whether children affected by HIV/AIDS are engaging more in work/labour than other children and whether this could increase their vulnerabilities to poor mental health [2]
Child labour and HIV/ AIDS are not identical, both have been consistentlyassociated with poverty [21], internal migration, abuse and exploitation [22], lack of good educational opportunities [23], and development of highrisk behaviours and psychological problems [2,24,25,26,27]. This suggests that child labour might be an important risk factor formental health problems among orphans in general and children affected by HIV/ AIDS.HIV/AIDS and its associated poverty are suggested to heighten the trend of child labour, both paid and unpaid [28]
Summary
Child labour is still on the increase despite several efforts to end it. Child labour is seen as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity. In Jordanheightened substance use was noted among child laborers compared to controls [6] whilst in Kenya 90% of children engaged in paid labour suffer severe emotional distress including depression, withdrawal and low self-esteem [7]. It has been noted that most children upon parental illness and/orsubsequent death assume expanded household chores and adult roles that could bedistressing for them [8].What is not clear is whether children affected by HIV/AIDS are engaging more in work/labour than other children and whether this could increase their vulnerabilities to poor mental health [2]. In the developing countries, child labour is still on the increase despite several efforts to end it, little is known about rates of child labour among orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC).
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