Student labor in Mansoura, Egypt

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out on 1293 students enrolled in governmental secondary schools in Mansoura, Egypt. The aims were to highlight the prevalence of student labor, its underlying factors, work hazards and injuries. its health, educational and social impacts, as well as work circumstances and student rights at work. The study revealed that 8.6% and 27.5% of students reported year round and summer work in the year prior to the study. Logistic regression analysis revealed that lower social classes of the family, technical education, male sex. Large family size and rural residence were the most significant predictors of student labor. Concerning the health of the students, present complaints, smoking and substance abuse were significantly more reported by working than non-working students. On the other hand, student work does not affect their anthropometric measurements. Hazards at work place, work injuries as well as corporal punishments by work owners were prevalent among working students. Student labor adversely affected their education and social life. The majority of working students work for six hours or more per day. Contribution to family income was the main cause for student labor. More than 51% of year-round and 26% of summer working students reported work satisfaction, respectively. Few working students have a written contract with work owner. have medical checkup or paid sick leaves. There is a need for effective enforcement of child labor legislation and formulation of legislation for student labor, so as not to affect their health. Education andsocial lives. School health team should consider the potential occupational hazards when examining a sick working student. Through schools we can reach a sizeable segment of working children and adolescents