Abstract

Purpose: To define the working conditions and health status of children working at open air markets. Method: The scope of this descriptive study covered children 8 to 18 years of age, working at the largest regional open-air markets of the Kadýköy district of Istanbul city. Eighty-nine students, who could be contacted with during the period June-July were included in the sample. Data were collected using a questionnaire encompassing questions that assess children’s socio-demographical attributes, reasons for working, working conditions, and health problems. Questionnaires were done during face-to-face interviews conducted by the researchers. Findings: Of the participant children, 74.1% were 11- 16 years old. The rate of the children that were not going to school was 37.1%. Of them, 29.2% had been working at open-air markets since the age of 9. Sixty-four per cent of the children were working 5-6 days per week while 12.4% the whole week. 70.8% were starting work before morning and 51.7% were working until 2100-2200 in the evening. Of them, 74.2% did not have social insurances. Complaints that the children had were as follows: 28.1% waist pain, 9% back pain,21.3% foot pain, 21.3% nasal bleeding, 42.7% fatigue/weariness. Of the children, 39.3% have had a health problem requiring treatment within the last year. 31.5% have had an accident at the market, and 36% had been injured by a sharp tool. Result: Children working at the open-air markets spend most of the day without giving a resting break. The majority work more than five days a week. Almost all of the children do not have social insurances. Most frequent health problem experienced by them is fatigue/weariness. Nearly one third have experienced accidents and injuries at the market environment.

Keywords

• Child worker,working environment,child health

PAZARDA ÇALIŞAN ÇOCUKLARIN ÇALIŞMA KOŞULLARI VE SAĞLIK DURUMLARI

Öz

References

1. Evci D.,Bilir N., Dünya Saðlýk Örgütü’nün 21. Yüzyýlda Herkes Ýçin Saðlýk Kavramýnýn Ýþ Saðlýðýna Yansýmasý, Sað- lýk ve Toplum, 1999; 2: 3-7.
2. Yýldýz N., Çalýþan Çocuklar: Sorun ve Çözüm Önerileri, 2. Ulusal Ýþ Saðlýðý ve Ýþyeri Hemþireliði Sempozyumu Kita- bý, Zonguldak, 2001:16-20.
3. www.disk.org.26.06.2006.
4. Doðan Ý., Çocuk Haklarý Açýsýndan Türkiye de Çocuk Olgusu; Milli Eðitim Dergisi, 2001, 151 (http://yayim. meb. gov. tr/dergiler/151/dogan.htm 12.10.2004).
5. www.die.gov.tr.26.06.2006.
6. Fiþek G., Türkiye’de Çocuk Emeði Çalýþmalarýna Genel Bakýþ, Fiþek Enstütüsü Çalýþan Çocuklar Bilim ve Eylem Merkezi Vakfý, Ankara. (http://www.fisek.org.tr/ 019.php 20.10.2004).
7. Bakar C., Meral I., Aygün R., Ostim ve Ahi Evran Mes- leki Eðitim Merkezlerinde Eðitim Gören Çýraklarýn Sosyo Demogafik Özellikleri, Çalýþma Nedenleri ve Ýþ Yaþamý ile Ýlgili Özellikleri, Mesleki Saðlýk ve Güvenlik Dergisi, 2004; 17: 21-27.
8. Þengül, B., AB yolunda zorlu baþlýk: Çocuk Ýþçiler, 27 O- cak, 2005. (http:// www. cnnturk. com/OZEL_DOSYA- LAR/haber_detay. asp? PID= 485&HID=1&haberID= 67901, 27. 06. 2006)

9. Çamkuþu B., Sala G., Yýldýz A.N., Ahi Evran Çýraklýk E- ðitim Merkezi Son Sýnýfta Eðitim Gören, Oto Yan Sanayide Çalýþan Ýþçilerin Psikolojik Semptom Daðýlýmý, V. Ulusal Halk Saðlýðý Kongre Kitabý, Ýstanbul, 1996: 513.
10. Geçer H., Çaðlayan Ç., Kocaeli Mesleki Eðitim Öðren- cilerinde Ýþ Kazasý Sýklýðý, Mesleki Saðlýk ve Güvenlik Der- gisi, 2004;20: 27-33.
11. Karataþ N., Çevre Saðlýðý, içinde Erefe Ý. (ed), Halk Saðlýðý Hemþireliði El Kitabý, Vehbi Koç Yayýnlarý, Ýstanbul, 1998.
12. Ocakçý A., Berk Z., Sala G., Kuaför Çýraklarý ve Risk- leri, Çalýþma Ortamý, 2000; 49: 7.
13. Erdoðan S., Bebek, Çocuk, Adölesan Saðlýðý, içinde E- refe Ý. (ed), Halk Saðlýðý Hemþireliði El Kitabý, Vehbi Koç Yayýnlarý, Ýstanbul, 1998.
14. *Araþtýrma; IX. Ulusal Halk Saðlýðý Kongresi’nde poster bildiri olarak sunulmuþtur. 3-6 Kasým 2004, Ankara.