La Desesperacion: Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers Living With HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Migrant seasonal farm workers (MSFWs) in south Texas are predominantly Mexican American and represent one of the most impoverished and medically underserved populations in the United States. La Frontera is a collaborative partnership between the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, migrant organizations, and HIV service delivery organizations to study and address special needs of MSFWs in Hidalgo and Maverick counties of south Texas. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the health-seeking experiences of HIV-positive MSFWs living in the La Frontera service area. Denzin's interpretive interactionism methodology guided the study. Thirteen participants were interviewed and audiotaped as they described their experiences. Findings from content analysis of the interviews revealed a description of the life of an HIV-positive MSFW as la desesperacion (a separate way of life). After their diagnosis of HIV/AIDS, the major themes in their lives were living in secrecy (a silent cry), finding and receiving health care, and accepting the disease (may it be the will of God).