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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Kevin C. Heslin, PhD, Research Centers in Minority Institutions, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Room 31-254A CHS, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1006, 310-313-0413, kheslin@ucla.edu, Ronald M. Andersen, PhD, Department of Health Services, UCLA, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Room 31-254A CHS, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1006, and Lillian Gelberg, MD, MSPH, Department of Family Medicine, UCLA, 50-071 UCLA, Center for Health Sciences, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Previous research has not examined whether the religious character of social service providers affects use of services by different subgroups of the homeless population. Using cross-sectional data from a representative sample of 974 homeless women in Los Angeles, we estimated the association of religious background with use of faith-based shelters and meal programs. In interviews conducted at 78 provider sites between January and October 1997, respondents were asked to identify their religious affiliation, if they had one. Data on other respondent characteristics were also collected. The names of the study sites were examined and designated as "faith-based" if they referenced specific religious traditions, historical religious figures, or deities. Univariate analysis shows that homeless women come from a wide range of religious backgrounds and beliefs. Christian denominations constitute the majority of those reported (81%), with the most frequent being Baptist (32%) and Catholic (17%). Although small proportions of respondents are of Jewish (1%), Muslim (0.5%), and "other non-Christian" (7%) backgrounds, 12% of women report no religious affiliation. At the time they were selected for study participation, 52% of respondents were using the services of faith-based providers. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, respondents with no religious affiliation had approximately half the odds of using faith-based programs, compared with Christian respondents (OR=0.48; 95% CI=0.25, 0.94). The multivariate results suggest that client religious background influences the use of providers by homeless women. Recent developments in funding policies may require the referral of some homeless persons to providers with whom they are comfortable receiving services.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will appreciate
Keywords: Homelessness, Faith Community
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.