CHILD-CARE NEEDS OF FEMALE STREET VENDORS IN MEXICO-CITY

This article reports on strategies developed by female street vendors (vendedoras ambulantes) in Mexico City to ensure the care of their you ng children in the absence of a specific and operational government po licy to fulfil this need. The information concerning child care and he alth was gathered by a survey of 426 street traders selected by multi- stage random cluster sampling in four of the administrative districts (delegaciones politicas) of Mexico City during 1990. It was found that , as mothers of young children, street vendors most frequently looked after their children personally on the street or left them with other members of the family. Related factors were availability of alternativ e child care providers in the family, the age of the children and work ing conditions of the mother. Children who remained on the streets wit h their mothers suffered more frequently from gastro-intestinal diseas es and accidents than the national average. The incidence of acute res piratory diseases, however, was similar in the cases of maternal care in the street and care by family members in another environment. Exist ing public health measures show a greater concern for the health of fo od consumers than that of workers in this area. Current public policy seeks to regulate street vending activities and to concentrate traders in ad hoc areas and facilities. Our research results document the nee d for actions that can contribute to an improvement in the care and he alth conditions of these young children.