International Union for Circumpolar Health Ministry of Public Health and Social Development of RF Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences Medical Polar Fund “Science” The Northern Forum

Abstracts

Ethnic peculiarities of the North native inhabitants health

Background: Knowledge translation (KT) strategies for community-based Indigenous health research are not well defined. Past research tended to treat Indigenous communities as the ‘objects’ of research rather than as equal partners in the process. This contributed to a narrow approach to knowledge translation, an approach which sometimes suited academic researchers without adequately addressing the KT needs of the Indigenous community. Indigenous communities have often been left with a sense of alienation and suspicion with respect to research methodologies and findings--including, who uses the findings for what purpose. A more effective uptake of research findings within Indigenous communities may occur through a community-based research plan designed and conducted through meaningfull partnerships.

Objectives: This paper reports on a Canadian FASD research project, Healthy Communities, Mothers and Children (HCMC), through which a partnership of four Aboriginal communities and four universities was formed. The purpose was to create tools to promote healthy births and reduce babies born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. In addition to the research partnership, a cross Canada committee was established to advise the research team on appropriate knowledge translation. The National Advisory Partnership Committee (NAPC) steered the development of appropriate knowledge translation strategies for implementation at community and national levels. The evolution of the Committee has been influenced by Indigenous and academic researchers, policy makers from Health Canada, community members and health care providers and has facilitated the translation and integration of HCMC findings by Indigenous communities.

Methods: HCMC uses a community-based participatory action research approach to develop FASD interventions. Indigenous, community health and academic knowledge and experience were drawn upon in the formulation of a knowledge translation action plan.

Results: The demonstration of a respectful and equally shared relationship between academic and community researchers was integral to the successful translation of HCMC research data to the Indigenous community. The incorporation of knowledge and experience of NAPC members assured that the HCMC knowledge translation strategies optimized the impact of findings on Indigenous mothers and their families, health care providers, policy and decision makers, researchers and the broader Indigenous community in Canada .

Note. Abstracts are published in author's edition

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Last update: 06-Jul-2012 (11:52:05)