Work experiences of working adolescents and their health repercussions were investigated. This study was developed in a school in Fortaleza, Ceará, in 2008, with ten working adolescents. It was an exploratory study with a qualitative approach, and the data gathering tools were a focus group and field diary. The data analysis was guided by content analysis. The legal and ethical issues were respected. Through developing the study, four categories emerged: characteristics of the adolescents who participated in the study; meanings of the work experiences for the adolescents; working adolescents and the difficulties faced in work situations; repercussions of work situations on the field of adolescents' health. It was perceived that there was a set of circumstances that led the adolescents to be surrounded by vulnerabilities. Thus, preparation for healthcare professionals to attend to this public is fundamental, in order to provide comprehensive care and health promotion for these adolescents.
Adolescence; Work; Health