Structural Characteristics of Migrant Farmworkers Reporting a Relationship with a Primary Care Physician

J Immigr Minor Health. 2016 Jun;18(3):710-714. doi: 10.1007/s10903-015-0265-2.

Abstract

Migrant farmworkers are disproportionately affected by many adverse health conditions, but access healthcare sparingly. This study of migrant farmworkers examined the distribution and general characteristics associated with having access to healthcare. Access to healthcare was measured by asking whether the participants (N = 413) had a primary care physician. Majority of participants did not have a primary care physician. Female migrant workers (AOR = 2.823 CI: 1.575-4.103) with insurance (AOR = 6.183 CI: 4.956-11.937) who lived at study site for more than 5 years (AOR = 2.728 CI: 1.936-7.837) and born in the United States (AOR = 2.648 CI: 1.373-3.338) had greater odds to have a primary care physician than recent male migrants without insurance who were born outside United States. There is a need to focus on Community Health Centers and Migrant Health Centers in tailoring their services and to widen the implementation and improve funding of Accountable Care Organizations to improve access to care of migrant farmworkers.

Keywords: Access to care; Community health; Community health centers; Health promotion; Primary care.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Agriculture
  • Farmers / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Humans
  • Insurance, Health
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient-Centered Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Physicians, Primary Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sex Factors
  • Transients and Migrants / statistics & numerical data*
  • United States
  • Young Adult