Listening to migrant voices: focus groups on health issues in south Georgia

This qualitative study utilized focus groups to invite Latino migrant farm workers to express ideas about their health and service needs. Four focus groups composed of Latino men and women were conducted on four different evenings in the same county. Three themes emerged: health care issues, living and working conditions, and social and community issues. Specific needs of the community were also identified by the participants. For the first time, migrant farm workers in Georgia had the opportunity to lend their own voice regarding their concerns and ideas about health and social conditions. The findings from this study are congruent with other studies and provide the basis for developing interventions to enhance the health of migrant farm workers. In addition, the findings have implications for community health nursing and the proposed Vision of 2010: Healthy People in Healthy Communities, whose goals include increased years of healthy life and the elimination of health disparities.