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

Abstract #62664

Louise S. Ward, CRNP, PhD, International Center of Research for Women, Children, and Families; School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Nursing Education Building, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6096, (215) 381-9157, lwardcrnp@verizon.net

Migrant farmworkers are a population at risk for poor health outcomes. Although federally funded migrant health programs are available, it is known that many farmworkers who identify health problems do not receive U.S. medical care for those problems (Mines, Mullenax, & Saca, 2001; Villarejo et al., 2000). What variables are associated with not using US medical care when health problems have been identified?

The present study was part of a larger research project that used 1998 data from Hispanic farmworkers (n=1,864) interviewed by the National Agricultural Workers Survey, conducted annually by the U.S. Department of Labor. Following a model derived from the literature, pertinent variables were either taken directly from the data or constructed from the available variables. A logistic regression model was then fitted for determinants of not receiving U.S. medical care when a health problem was identified.

Findings indicated that male gender, following the crops, poor working conditions, better native language literacy, more identified access barriers, and not using US government programs such as WIC or Medicaid were all factors that contributed to not receiving US medical care when a health problem had been identified.

Nurses are in a unique position to reduce many of these factors, such as access barriers. In addition it seems clear that outreach to men must be intensified and made more meaningful. Political action to improve working conditions is a legitimate nursing domain.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
• List 3 to 4 factors associated with farmworkers’ having health problems but not receiving U.S. medical care.
• Discuss possible mechanisms by which these factors inhibit receipt of U.S. medical care.
• Describe ways in which nurses working with migrant populations can begin to overcome these barriers.

Keywords: Access to Health Care, Migrant Farm Workers

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.

Handout (.ppt format, 49.5 kb)