Work and behavioural problems in children and adolescents

Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 3139 children and adolescents from poor areas of the city of Pelotas, southern Brazil. We employed the child behaviour checklist for estimating BP. We performed multivariable analysis using Poisson's regression for confounder control. Results The proportion of workers was 13.8% (7.3% among children and 20.7% among adolescents). Prevalence of BP among workers and prevalence ratios (PRs) were 21.4% (PR = 1.3; CI 0.9-1.9) among children and 9.5% (PR = 0.6; CI 0.4-1.0) among adolescents. Considering workers only, the risk of BP was 2.7 times greater (CI 1.4-5.1) among children when compared with adolescents. Working in domestic services among children and beginning to work at an early age among adolescents were associated with BP. Conclusions Our results reinforce the need for respecting the minimum age for admission to employment established by the ILO Convention 138 and by the Brazilian legislation and contribute to the discussion about the occupations that should be considered as hazardous child labour.