[Child labor in a marketplace in Bogotá].
OBJECTIVE
Child labor in marketplaces has not been sufficiently studied. It is present even in developed countries and it has been associated with problems in the physical, psychological, emotional and social development of children. This paper aims at determining the number of children working in the largest marketplace in the country and the risk factors to which they are exposed.


METHODS
Children working in the marketplace were counted and classified by gender and occupation. Working places were analyzed under Fine's professional risk plan.


RESULTS
376 children were found, 318 boys and 58 girls. 30% were carrying loads, 42% were selling merchandise, and 28% were doing minor jobs or accompanying relatives. The risk factors related with their personal security have the greatest danger level. They are followed by the ergonomic, psychosocial and biological factors.


CONCLUSIONS
The risk factors affecting children's health the most in the short term are those related to personal security. They include vehicle traffic, inadequate materials storage that can be dangerous, and the physical burden that they have to suffer. According to the professional risk factors plan, this is a dangerous job for children. Child labor in marketplaces shall be regulated and the carrying of heavy loads prohibited.
Briceño
Leonardo
L
Universidad del Rosario Facultad de Medicina. lbriceno@urosario.edu.co
Pinzón
Angela María
AM
D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003105:Colombia; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D040541:Marketing; D009026:Mortality; D016272:Occupational Health; D009790:Occupations; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014675:Vegetables; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology