The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61886

Marie Napolitano, PhD, FNP, School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Sciences University, 3181 Sam Jackson Park Rd, Mailcode: SN-5S, Portland, OR 97201, 503-494-3873, napolitm@ohsu.edu

The health needs of migrant farmworkers are numerous and often attributable to their difficult lifestyle. However, information regarding their health needs is sparse. Efforts have been undertaken by the Virginia Garcia Health Center in Oregon to annually obtain and analyze data regarding health needs identified in migrant camps during high season. The health center provides medical and social services outreach to the camps through its mobile van program. For three years, Oregon Health & Sciences (OHSU) graduate nursing students have analyzed the data from the camps and have presented a report to the health center as part of their research requirements. These reports were used for grant applications and to secure resources from local agencies. For the summer of 2003, a high school student will analyze and report the data under the supervision of an OHSU nursing faculty who is also a Virginia Garcia medical provider. This student will be participating in a summer program aimed at recruiting minority students into the health professions. This presentation will provide an overview of the four years of migrant health information obtained through the efforts of these students. Combined findings for four years and comparisons-by-year findings will be presented. For this presentation, data will have been obtained from over 2400 encounter forms. Data analyzed will include demographic data, percentages of preventive and medical care provided, types and rates of medical diagnoses, treatment provided, and types of referrals.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
• identify the ten most common health problems/needs seen in Washington County migrant camps over the past four years.
• compare similarities and differences by year in health problems/needs seen in the camps.
• discuss the active involvement of students in analyzing and reporting data regarding the health problems/needs of migrant farmworkers.

Keywords: Migrant Workers, Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.