Caregiver Perceptions of Children's Engagement in Economic Activities: Evidence from a Semi-Urban Community, Edo State, Nigeria

Background: Children's involvement in economic activities remains a major child protection and public health concern in low- and middle-income countries. Caregivers play a central role in determining children's participation in such activities, yet evidence on their knowledge and attitudes remains limited.  Objective: To assess caregivers' knowledge and attitudes towards children's involvement in economic activities and identified associated sociodemographic factors. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 380 caregivers selected using a two-stage cluster sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Knowledge was assessed using a six-item checklist, while attitude was measured using ten Likert-scale statements. Scores were categorized into knowledge and attitude levels. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's chi-square test, and multivariable logistic regression were performed, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Results: Overall, 350 (92.1%) caregivers were aware that children engaged in economic activities, but only 63 (16.6%) demonstrated good knowledge, while 195 (51.3%) had fair knowledge and 122 (32.1%) had poor knowledge. Awareness of child labour legislation was low, with only 128 (33.7%) reporting knowledge of existing laws and 152 (40.0%) correctly identifying the legal minimum working age. Most caregivers, 339 (89.2%), demonstrated positive attitudes towards limiting children's involvement in economic activities.  Conclusion: Although caregivers generally demonstrated favourable attitudes towards protecting children from economic exploitation, knowledge of child labour and relevant legislation remained inadequate. Educational interventions, strengthened public awareness campaigns, and socioeconomic support programmes are needed to improve caregivers' knowledge and promote evidence-based child protection practices.