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Updated: Jul 20, 2026
A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion
Published on: September 25, 2014
Summer work and injury among middle school students, aged 10-14 years
K M Zierold1, S Garman, H Anderson
1University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. Zierold@gwm.sc.edu
Background:
Little information exists on injury and factors associated with injury in working youth aged 10-14 years. Most studies do not involve children younger than 15.
Methods:
A cross-sectional anonymous survey was administered to middle school students in five school districts and one large urban school in October 2001.
Results:
Of the 3189 working middle school students who responded to the survey, the majority were employed in informal job settings, such as working for someone in a home, newspaper delivery, and working on family farms or in family businesses. Overall, 18% of children reported being injured at work. Of those injured, 26% reported that their injury was severe enough to affect their activities for more than three days. Variables that were associated with injury included having a "near-miss" incident at work (AOR 6.61, 95% CI 4.92 to 8.89), having a co-worker injured (AOR 2.65, 95% CI 1.95 to 3.60), and being asked to do something dangerous (AOR 2.25, 95% CI 1.61 to 3.14).
Conclusions:
Children are working and being injured in jobs that are not covered by existing child labour laws. Injury rates in non-covered occupations are high, warranting review of current laws.
