Healthcare use for acute gastrointestinal illness in two Inuit communities: Rigolet and Iqaluit, Canada

Sherilee L. Harper · Victoria L. Edge · James D. Ford · M. Kate Thomas · David L. Pearl · Jamal Shirley

13 citations0/0 files storedInternational Journal of Circumpolar Health

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Indigenous Health, Education, and Rights Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology Indigenous Studies and Ecology

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The incidence of self-reported acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) in Rigolet, Nunatsiavut, and Iqaluit, Nunavut, is higher than reported elsewhere in Canada; as such, understanding AGI-related healthcare use is important for healthcare provision, public health practice and surveillance of AGI. OBJECTIVES: This study described symptoms, severity and duration of self-reported AGI in the general population and examined the incidence and factors associated with healthcare utilization for AGI in these 2 Inuit communities. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey data were analysed using multivariable exact logistic regression to examine factors associated with individuals' self-reported healthcare and over-the-counter (OTC) medication utilization related to AGI symptoms. RESULTS: In Rigolet, few AGI cases used healthcare services [4.8% (95% CI=1.5-14.4%)]; in Iqaluit, some cases used healthcare services [16.9% (95% CI=11.2-24.7%)]. Missing traditional activities due to AGI (OR=3.8; 95% CI=1.18-12.4) and taking OTC medication for AGI symptoms (OR=3.8; 95% CI=1.2-15.1) were associated with increased odds of using healthcare services in Iqaluit. In both communities, AGI severity and secondary symptoms (extreme tiredness, headache, muscle pains, chills) were significantly associated with increased odds of taking OTC medication. CONCLUSIONS: While rates of self-reported AGI were higher in Inuit communities compared to non-Inuit communities in Canada, there were lower rates of AGI-related healthcare use in Inuit communities compared to other regions in Canada. As such, the rates of healthcare use for a given disease can differ between Inuit and non-Inuit communities, and caution should be exercised in making comparisons between Inuit and non-Inuit health outcomes based solely on clinic records and healthcare use.

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References

2009Indigenous health part 2: the underlying causes of the health gap 2007Understanding barriers to health care: a review of disparities in health care services among indigenous populations 1987Understanding the Health Care Needs of Rural Families 1997Aboriginal Physician Use in Canada: Location, Orientation and Identity 2014Lived experience of acute gastrointestinal illness in Rigolet, Nunatsiavut: “Just suffer through it”

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