Child and adolescent workers victims of occupational accidents and attended at a basic district health unit in Ribeirão Preto (SP)

Abstract

In recent years, child work has shown decreasing tendencies in Brazil, although a large number of children still work several hours per day. Studies show that, despite the whole ratification in Brazilian laws, the number of child workers in this country pictures the violence and disrespect that exist in the world of child labor. This contributes negatively to the growth process of citizens as well as human beings. This study aimed to identify child and adolescent Occupational Accident victims in a city in the interior of São Paulo State, accident causes and body parts affected by these OA. We carried out a quantitative, retrospective and descriptive study. The research population consisted of 56 child and adolescent accident victims under 18, attended at a municipal emergency care service. Most victims were boys (64.3%); 75% had completed the age of 17. In terms of causes, (39.3%) were due to contact with piercing-cutting materials. Nowadays, the fight against child work is one of the main challenges faced by the Brazilian and global society.