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Employment and family conditions are related to health care utilization among foreign-born farmworker men

Abstract:

Despite their increased vulnerability to disease and injury, farmworkers have limited access to health services. The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of employment and family conditions on health care utilization among foreign-born farmworker men. Using the Hispanic Farmworker Health model as the theoretical framework, a secondary data analysis was conducted among 397 foreign-born vineyard and winery worker men who attended the ¡Salud! Services mobile health screenings during the summer of 2009. Working full time (odds ratio [OR] 5 2.49), being employed directly by the vineyard or winery (OR 5 1.96), and having immediate family members (children, spouse) living in Oregon (OR 5 2.65) were positively associated with health care utilization. Findings suggest that despite the many barriers farmworker men face, supportive employment and family conditions may increase health care utilization for this population. Implications of these results are discussed in the context of health care reform. © 2013 Springer Publishing Company.