QUALITY OF LIFE OF WORKERS AGED 14-16 YEARS IN THE MANISA

Objective: The literature related to child labor, discusses the causes and socioeconomic factors contributing to child labor but very few studies examine the quality of life among child workers. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the quality of life (QoL), socioeconomic and labor related factors in young people aged 14-16 in the city of Manisa . Methods: The study population consisted of 266 students who were attending the Apprentice Training Center in Manisa. The QoL of the subjects was measured by the adolescent version of KINDL-R (KiddoKindl). Odds ratios (95% Confidence Interval) were used in the assessment. Logistic regression analysis was performed in multivariate analysis. Results: Of the 253 adolescent workers, 77.9% were male, with a mean age of 15.6(0.5). According to logistic regression analysis; being female (OR=2.9), lack of family health insurance (OR=2.3), being exposed to family violence (OR=3.7) and absenteeism (OR=2.4) were associated with total Qol. Lack of family health insurance, insufficiency in family income, using alcohol, being exposed to family violence, job dissatisfaction and father illiteracy were associated with poorer QoL of six domains of KINDL-R. Conclusion: The findings of this study concludes that, socioeconomic, family and job related variables are factors associated with QoL in adolescent workers.