Identifiable injuries among Aboriginal Peoples compared to Non-Aboriginal Peoples in the Urban Yukon and Northwest Territories
Date
2004
Authors
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Publisher
ORCID
Type
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
This thesis examines health disparities in terms of identifiable injuries between
Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in the far northern regions of Canada. I consider
the history of Aboriginal people's relations with non-Aboriginal peoples and begin to
survey the possible reasons why health disparities exist between these two populations.
The Canadian Community Health Survey (Cycle 1.1) (CCHS) is utilized to
examine injury outcomes in the Yukon and Northwest Territories. Bivariate and
multivariate regression analysis is utilized to present statistically significant associations
between the dependent variable "injured in past 12 months, yes or no" and various
independent variables that were deemed to have a possible influence on injuries in the
far northern regions of Canada.
The research objectives are:
1. To determine the prevalence of identifiable injuries in Yukon and NWT among
Aboriginal peoples and non-Aboriginal peoples, in the urban context.
2. To identify risk factors and protective factors contributing to injuries and to identify
disparities in risk factors for each group.
3. To place what I find into the historical context and contemporary contingencies of
the people in the Yukon and NWT.
From the findings of the statistical analysis, profiles were developed regarding a
possible predisposition to injury. Based on the results from the cross-tabulation and
three-way tables, the groups most likely to experience an injury outcome, in descending
order, are: NWT non-Aboriginal; Yukon Aboriginal; Yukon non-Aboriginal; NWT
Aboriginal single males, 12-19 and 20-40 years old, who indicated: A) low social
support in the categories: Someone To You Help If Confined To Bed; Someone To Take
You To Doctor; Someone Who Hugs You; Someone To Help With Meals; Someone To
Help Get Your Mind Off Things; Someone To Share Worries and Fears With; Someone
Who Understands Your Problem; and Someone To Love You And Make You Feel
Wanted. A1) medium social support in the categories: Someone Who Shows Love and
Affection; Someone To Help You Understand; Someone To Confide In; Someone
Whose Advice You Really Want; Someone To Help With A Personal Problem; and
Someone To Do Something Enjoyable With. A2) high social support in the categories:
Someone Who Listens; Someone to Give You Advice; and Someone To Have A Good
Time With. B) high participation in the exercise categories: Leisure Activity; and Time
Spent Walking. B1) medium participation in the exercise category: Time Spent
Bicycling. C) problems in the sleep/rest categories: Time Spent Sleeping Each Night
(less than 7 hours); Trouble Sleeping Or Staying Awake (trouble sleeping); and How
Often Sleep Refreshing (sleep not refreshing). D) Smoking (ever smoked). E) low sense
of self-mastery in the categories: Little Control Over Things; and Future Depends On
You (disagree). F) high consumption levels in the alcohol categories: How Often Did
You Drink Alcohol; How Often More Than Five Drinks On One Occasion; Ever Drunk
At Work, School or Caring For Children; and Ever Drink More Than Intended. F1) Age
Started Drinking Alcohol (12-19). G) Satisfied with self(not satisfied with self).
The literature review indicates that there are historical and ongoing health status
disparities between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations. The literature review
examines how the sociocultural, socioeconomic, and sociopolitical circumstances of
Aboriginal peoples may predispose them to negative health outcomes, including a
higher prevalence of identifiable injuries compared to non-Aboriginal populations. The
notion that all cultures will respond and benefit equally from the same health care
strategy has been shown to be misplaced. Various cultures have developed their own
concepts surrounding health and well-being and what is required to maintain good
health. The recognition of culturally specific health paradigms followed by the
development of appropriate health care systems may go a long way in reducing health
status disparities between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations.
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Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
Community Health and Epidemiology
Program
Community Health and Epidemiology