Malnutrition and food insecurity in child labourers in Sindh, Pakistan: A cross-sectional study

Background: Child labour is common in low-and middle-income countries. Although child labour is widespread in Pakistan, no data are available on the health of child labourers. Aims: This study aimed to assess the food security, food intake and nutritional status of child labourers aged 5–14 years working in lower Sindh, Pakistan. Methods: Child labourers aged 5–14 years working in agriculture, manufacturing industry, hotels and restaurants, domestic work and migrant child labourers working in vegetable markets were recruited using a respondent-driven sampling technique. Sociodemographic and nutrition information was obtained by an interviewer questionnaire. The children’s height and weight were measured to assess stunting (height-for-age z scores less than –2) and wasting (weightfor-height z scores less than –2). Results: A total of 634 child labourers were included: 184 worked in agriculture, 120 in industry, 67 in hotels and restaurants, 63 in domestic work and 200 were migrant child labourers. Overall, 15.5% of the children were stunted and 30.0% were wasted. The prevalence of stunting was highest in children working in agriculture (27.2%) and the prevalence of wasting was highest in migrant child workers (35.0%). About half the children (51.1%) were suffering from food insecurity. Food inadequacy was mainly in consumption of vegetables/potatoes (98% of the children had inadequate intake), legumes (97%), fruits (96%), meat/ poultry (95%) and milk/dairy products (82%). Conclusion: The nutritional status and food insecurity of the child labourers of Pakistan are comparable with the general population, highlighting the grave situation of the country with regard to food security.