331784
Social Vulnerability and Access to Health Care and Social Services among Predominantly Spanish-speaking Latino Men Who Have Sex with Men in New York City
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Chukwuemeka Anyamele, MD, MPH,
HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, Columbia University, New York, NY
Curtis Dolezal, Ph.D.,
HIV Center for Clinical & Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY
Omar Martinez, JD, MPH, MS,
HIV Center for Clinical & Behavioral Studies, Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY
Theo G. M. Sandfort, PhD,
Division of Gender, Sexuality, & Health: HIV Center for Clinical & Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, NY
Understanding the individual and structural factors that make Latino MSM vulnerable to poor health care and social services seeking behaviors is essential especially in the context of the Affordable Care Act. This study provides characteristics and assesses the correlates of health care and social services utilization among this group. Data collection occurred in 2014 with a total of 174 Latino MSM in New York City. The average age was 33.4 years and 72% reported being born outside the U.S. A third (35%) of the sample reported to being HIV positive and a third (29%) reported being diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection in the past year. Using backward stepwise regression analysis, our model determined those men (39%) who reported problems accessing a doctor (although needed) were more likely to be employed or insured; report to having been discriminated against; and screen positive for clinically significant depressive symptoms. Those who reported problems accessing social services (28%) had lower educational status, were least likely to speak any English, had a male partner, reported to having been discriminated against; screened positive for clinically significant depressive symptoms; and reported low overall quality of health.Most of these characteristics can be seen as indicators of social vulnerability. The role of employment, insurance and having a male partner was counter to our expectation.This study represents an initial step in documenting the predictors of health and social services seeking behaviors in this population and further research is suggested to understand the underlying processes.
Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Provision of health care to the public
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Describe individual and structural factors that make Latino MSM in New York city vulnerable to poor health are social services accessing behaviors.
List recommendations to ameliorate the social vulnerabilities Latino MSM in New York encounter accessing health care and social services.
Keyword(s): Health Care Access, Health Care Reform
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I conducted the data analysis and served as a consultant to the study.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
