A Socioeconomic Characteristics and Health Problems of Trash Picking Children in Karachi

Abstract

Trash picking is one of the humiliating and hazardous works which is also done by the children and now it has become a susceptible form of child labour. Present study identifies the main factors responsible for the trash picking and which kind of health issues these trash picking children are facing while picking trash from the dump of heap in the context of socio economic activities. Present study was conducted in seven towns each from two district of Karachi, district south and district central Karachi. A sample of 200 TPC aged 6-17 years was selects to investigate the objective of the study. Data was collected through well structure interview schedule questionnaire because respondents were illiterate. Non probability sampling technique was adopted for these trash picking children. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the selected sample of the study. The present study investigated that 64% trash picking children were illiterate while 43% of these children belong to the afghan ethnic group who have migrated from the neighbouring country Afghanistan. About 63% and 51.5% of TPC responded that they belong from nuclear family structure and secondly getting meal twice a day is main factor responsible for trash picking respectively. Getting meal twice a day, forefather occupation, nuclear family structure and unemployment of father were 51.5%, 24.0%, 63.5% and 12% respectively main factors responsible for trash picking.. In present study about 32%, 20%, 4%, & 20% TPC were facing the diseases of skin problem, digestion problem, cough and respiratory problem respectively.

Rest of the other Diseases which these TPC were facing they are back & joint pain, fever/headache and tuberculosis as well. Due to poor economic condition these TPC even cannot afford the medical treatment of their diseases so almost 36% of the respondents said that they get self medication, when they face any disease and 33% respondents explored that they get treatment from the government hospitals. It is suggested that education should be free and hunger should be addressed properly to meet their food needs.