Trabalho do adolescente: efeitos sobre a saúde e desempenho escolar

Abstract

Child labor is a very frequent problem sets in the country, is practiced for decades and often overlooked, but it can cause damage to both the health and the academic performance of children and adolescents. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of work on health and school performance of teenagers. An epidemiological cross-sectional study with 44 students from 14 to 19 years was conducted in two public schools in Santo Antonio de Jesus - BA. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire divided into four blocks applied by trained students. The ethical and legal aspects of this study are based on Resolution 466/12. For entry and data analysis was employed using SPSS (Social Package for Social Sciences) for Windows Version 20 Key findings in the survey were: 16 students worked (36.4%) and 28 were not employed (63.6 %); the majority of respondents are female both among workers (75%) and among non-workers (71.4%); the predominant age group was 14-16 years, and 68.8% among those who work and those who study only 82.1%. Regarding education 87.5% of respondents were working in elementary school II against 92.9% of non-workers. Most student workers considered afrodescendant both among workers (75.1%) and among non workers (60.7%) and 56.3% among workers and 54.5% among non-workers reported that family income corresponds between 1-2 minimum wages. Among students who work 50.0% states that works to help parents. It was noted that trade and domestic services are the working groups most exercised, both with 37.5%. Regarding adolescent school performance working in general missing more school (37.5%) are late more often (37.5%), feel more sleep during class (18%) have a higher failure rate (75 %) and school leavers (12.5%). The majority of respondents from both groups, workers and non-workers considered the state median health, 62.5% and 60.7%, respectively. Health problems referred the students were back pain, nervousness, somnolence, insomnia, eye irritation, palpitations, weakness and accidents. In all cases the problems are more common among adolescents who work. We conclude that early work is negatively associated with school performance and adolescent health, suggest new research, strengthening of public policies and greater oversight by the relevant agencies and multidisciplinary actions in order to eradicate the work of children and adolescents.