Latino Men with HIV/AIDS in New York State: Factors Influencing Use of Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Abstract

As part of the fastest growing minority population in the U.S., Latino men are an ethnically and racially diverse group who are disproportionately affected by both HIV/AIDS and unemployment. As people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) continue to live longer and healthier lives, interest in their vocational development has been increasing, and research in this area has expanded. State vocational rehabilitation (VR), the most widely used system of vocational services for individuals with disabilities, represents a viable service alternative for many PLWHA; however, Latinos are underserved in this arena. Research investigating VR use patterns by Latinos and PLWHA is vital for understanding factors related to service use and addressing disparities. As no known studies have specifically examined VR service use by Latino men with HIV/AIDS, the purpose of this study was to investigate variables associated with VR use as well as examine the ethnic subgroup differences among them. Participants were 101 Latino men with HIV/AIDS recruited from AIDS service organizations and networks funded by the AIDS Institute--New York Department of Health, who took the National Working Positive Coalition--Vocational Training and Employment Survey, an instrument designed to assess the vocational-related needs of PLWHA. Andersen's Behavioral Model of Service Utilization provided a theoretical framework for identifying and investigating variables in predisposing, enabling, and need domains as they related to VR use. Logistic regression was used to identify variables predictive of VR use with a hierarchical approach to the analysis to determine changes in model significance when variables were added in blocks per variable domains. Chi Square analyses found significant differences between VR users and non-VR users on knowledge of VR, and on racial identification between ethnic subgroups. At least one variable from each domain was statistically significant in the regression model and found to be predictive of VR use. Puerto Rican ethnicity, having knowledge of VR, and being in poverty increased odds of VR use. As confidence in ability to maintain a job increased, so did odds of VR use. Study limitations, practical implications, and future research recommendations are included. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone [phone]. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]