解:∵-2∈A且a2+1≥1,∴a2+1≠-2.
从而有a-1=-2或2a2+5a+1=-2,解得a=-或a=-1.
当a=-时,a-1≠2a2+5a+1;
当a=-1时,a-1=2a2+5a+1=-2,故a=-1应舍去.
∴所求a的值为-.