A profile on child workers involved in the production of pyrotechnics in Radar Babag, Lapu-Lapu City / Migresa P. Brodith-Dauz

CONTEXT. Despite several attempts to combat the proliferation of child labor, it is still very much a problem at present. This study describes a form of child labor involving hazardous work activities specifically pyrotechnics production. OBJECTIVE. To describe the epidemiology of child labor focusing on the manufacturing of pyrotechnics in Radar, Babag, Lapu-Lapu City. STUDY DESIGN. A cross-sectional survey. STUDY SETTING. Radar, Babag, Lapu-Lapu City. STUDY POPULATION. All children 7-17 years old living in Radar, Babag, Lapu-Lapu City. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES. Prevalence, demographic characteristics of children involved in pyrotechnics production, type of tasks assigned, daily earnings and work related injuries. RESULTS. The total number of respondents was 386. Two hundred sixty (67.4%) of whom were involved in making firecrackers with a mean age of 12.7 +/- 2.9 years. There were more females (54.2%) than males (45.8%). Distribution of those making pyrotechnics based on levels of educational attainment showed that 25% were in grades 1-3, 44.6% were in grades 4%-6% and 30.4% were in high school. Majority (79.6%) claimed to have work-associated illness such as body aches/pains (89.9%), skin diseases (29.5%) and recurrent cough (20.8%). Thirteen respondents (5%) encountered injury while making firecrackers, namely burns (61.5%) and cuts/wounds (38.5%). CONCLUSION. Working children involved in pyrotechnics production is prevalent (67.4%) in Radar, Babag, Lapu-Lapu City. Majority (79.6%) of these children claimed to have work-associated illness and 13 (5%) of them suffered injury related to making firecrackers.

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