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

Public health

INTRODUCTION: Women’s health research in Canada shows that women living in poverty and who are homeless, and women living in violent domestic situations or alcohol dependent families often have poorer health then women who do not live in these conditions. Indigenous* women are often over-represented in these groups. In general, indigenous women’s health is under-researched; however, the scant research that exists suggests that First Nations women are at greater risk than non- First Nations women for diabetes, suicide, and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, while experiencing decreased access to health services. Published research that explores the relationship between social determinants of health and disease conditions in First Nations women is sparse. For Inuit women it is virtually non-existent.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the determinants of health for Inuit women in Nunavut Territory from the perspective of women living in Nunavut communities.

STUDY DESIGN: A qualitative case study design was chosen to explore women’s perspectives on determinants of health for Inuit women living in Nunavut. Individual, in-depth, face to face interviews were used to gather data between August 2005 and January 2006 from a sample of Inuit women living in Nunavut Territory, Canada. Data were analyzed using immersion and crystallization. Issues of rigour were addressed using established qualitative techniques.

RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: Nine women agreed to be interviewed for this study, after giving informed, written consent. Interviews ranged from 45 to 100 minutes in length. Participants identified mental health issues, violence, intimate partner relationships, reproductive and sexual health, parenting skills, food security and a general lack of understanding of basic health knowledge as important determinants of health for Inuit women in Nunavut. They talked about these issues in the context of poverty, traditional Inuit values and practices in the communities, and gender roles in families. Participants asserted that holistic, community-based educational efforts are desperately needed if the health of Inuit women is going to improve. Programs must address the needs of women throughout the life course, however, participants felt the needs of men, women and families must also be addressed equally.

*Indigenous in this abstract includes First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples.

Note. Abstracts are published in author's edition

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