PATIENTS' PERCEPTIONS AND PRACTICE OF CHILD LABOUR IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Child labour is a major concern worldwide. In developing countries, child labour is often seen in a different perspective and may relate to socialization and child training. However, parents’ view regarding this practice is not well documented. This study therefore assessed the perception and practice of parents, regarding child labour in Ibadan North Local Government Area (LGA), Nigeria. The study was cross-sectional survey. A three stage sampling technique was used to select 714 respondents from households. A validated semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from either the mother or father who was present in the household at the time of the interview. Ten in-depth- interviews (IDI) were conducted among market leader, title holders, landlords and religious leaders. The IDI data were analysed using thematic approach while data from the survey were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square. Respondents’’ mean age was 37.5 ± 8.1years. Majority (64.9%) were females. Level of education included no formal education (5.1%), primary (26.1%), secondary (40.1%), and tertiary (28.7%) education. Most participants (90.7%) knew what child labour was and 91% reported that it existed in their communities. Forty six percent of respondents said that child labourers are usually between the ages of 6-14 years. The major reasons adduced for child labour included poverty (41.4%), illiteracy (32.2%), and having many children (26.7%). The main places where child labour was said to occur included homes (99.4%), streets (98.6%), market places (98.6%), relative’s homes (95.0%) and hotels (94.6%). Few (13.9%) respondents indicated that child labour is part of children’s upbringing while 18.0% were of the opinion that working children are smarter than those children who not work. Forty five percent (45%) of the participants agreed that children should be paid when they work and 57.8% believed that children are born to assist their parents. A few of the participants (19%) reported that involving children in income generating activities empowers parents financially. Eighteen percent (18.0%) of the participants claimed to have under-aged domestic servants. Of these, 66.8% had formal education and 11.5% no formal education (p<0.05). More participants (63.7%) with formal education involved their own under-aged children in personal businesses compared with others without formal (32%) (p<0.05). Civil servants, teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers had more under-aged domestic servants (83.2%) than traders and artisans (15.3%) (p<0.05). Artisans and traders (51.6%) had more children who hawk on the streets than other professionals (8.7%) (p<0.05). There was unanimity of opinion among the in-depth-interviewees that despite its disadvantages, child labour was common in their communities. Child labour was said to make girls vulnerable to rape, pregnancy and prostitution and predisposes boys to thuggery and other anti-social vices. It was recommended that government should create job opportunities for parents and enforce appropriate legislation to curb the practice of child labour in the society. Child labour is a common practice in the study area and many parents perceived it to be beneficial. Health education strategies like public enlightenment, counselling and advocacy are needed to address the problem.