Abstract
To evaluate physical and psychological dimensions of adolescent labor (such as job demands, job control, and social support in the work environment), and their relation to reported body pain, work injuries, sleep duration and daily working hours. A total of 354 adolescents attending evening classes at a public school in Sao Paulo, Brazil, answered questionnaires regarding their living and working conditions (Karasek's Job Content Questionnaire, 1998), and their health status. Data collection took place in April and May 2001. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine relations among variables. Psychological job demands were related to body pain (OR=3.3), higher risk of work injuries (OR=3.0) and reduced sleep duration in weekdays (Monday to Thursday) (p<0.01). Lower decision authority in the workplace (p=0.03) and higher job security (p=0.02) were related to longer daily working hours. It was concluded that besides physical stressors, psychological factors are to be taken into account when studying adolescent working conditions, as they may be associated with negative job conditions and health effects.
Highlights
Efforts for abolishing child labor around the world face a harsh reality
The results showed that the higher the score, the higher the prevalence of body pain
After controlling for sex, alcohol use, and fatigue perception, the odds of experiencing body pain among young workers scoring in the highest tertile
Summary
According to the International Labor Organization (ILO),[11] about 351 million people under 18 years old are estimated to be economically active. About 211 million are under 15, which is under the age established by the ILO Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No 138). ILO standards establish that “admission to any type of employment or work which by its nature or the circumstances is likely to jeopardize the health, safety or morals of young persons shall not be less than 18 years”. Brazilian laws are even stricter: the minimum age for working is 16 years old. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE),[10] about 2.3 million adolescents aged 15 to 18 years old are both working and studying, and a million only work
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