Abstract
The purpose of this exploratory research was to identify the barriers that exist for migrant workers in accessing medical services. This study focused on the following barriers: occupational health risks, rural areas, cultural beliefs, economic status, and language. A sample of thirty-nine migrant farmworkers who participated at the E Center Migrant Program in Yuba County, California, was recruited. All 39 participants were from Mexico and completed a 30-item questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were employed to analyze the data. The findings of this study support findings of other research studies, indicating that this under-served population continues to face the same barriers. More specifically, results from this study revealed that high percentages (46%) of the participants suffer illnesses from pesticides. In fact, thirty-eight percent of the participants had skin problems due to working in the fields. Based on the findings sixty-seven percent of the participants had no knowledge of healthcare programs and fifty-nine percent did not have medical coverage. Finally, the results of the study indicate that the potential barriers for Mexican migrant farm worker continued to be prevalent.