Chronic disease self-management interest among Latino farmworkers: Is it different from that of other Latinos?

The epidemic of chronic diseases poses a great threat to the Latino community, given the barriers associated with access, culture, language, poverty, education, work and low acculturation. Numerous chronic disease self-management programs are available and many have been found effective in promoting better health. In selecting and/or designing outreach programs for Latinos with chronic conditions, we were interested in the Latino farmworkers' needs, expectations, and perceived barriers for participation in self-management programs. Using a convenience sampling within a CBPR framework, 216 Latinos with chronic diseases were assessed on their health status, chronic disease coping strategies, co-morbidities, levels of pain, self-efficacy, depression, functional limitations, health care utilization, interest in self-management programs, and perceived barriers. Farmworkers accounted for about 40% of the survey participants. We found that the heath care needs and concerns of Latino farmworkers were statistically no different from those of other Latinos in the study population. Farmworkers are similar to other Latinos in their demographics and in most aspects of their health, including chronic conditions, co-morbidities, levels of experienced pain, functional impairment, rate of insurance, coping strategies, use of health care services, and use of alternative medicines. Interest in self-management programs, choice of activities, and perceived barriers identified by farmworkers were no different from other Latino study participants. Health education programs designed to support those with chronic diseases would be just as effective for the farmworkers as they are for the Latino population at large. Farmworker-specific health interventions may be needed for addressing work-related health issues.