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Introduction: Epidemiological studies have only recently begun to address the consequences of unpaid family work (ie., housework and child rearing) for mental health. Although research is suggestive of an association between the division of unpaid family work and psychological health, especially for women, additional research is required to clarify the conditions under which such a relationship holds. The purpose of the present study was to examine more nuanced relationships between the division of family work and psychological distress by disaggregating the family work construct according to type (housework/child rearing), control over scheduling, and evaluations of fairness. Methods:Analysis of data obtained from a cross-sectional telephone survey conducted in a Canadian city. Analyses were based on 293 employed parents (182 mothers and 111 fathers), with at least one preschool child, living in dual-earner households. Several multiple linear regression models were estimated with psychological distress as the outcome, adjusting for confounders.Results:For mothers, more perceived time spent in child rearing (particularly primary child care) and high-schedule-control housework tasks (e.g. yard work) relative to one’s partner, were associated with greater distress. For fathers, perceived unfairness in the division of housework and child rearing were associated with greater distress.Conclusion:Although methodological limitations temper firm conclusions, these results suggest that the gendered nature of household work has implications for the psychological well-being of both mothers and fathers of preschool children in dual-earner households. However, more longitudinal research and the development of theoretically-informed measures of family work are needed to advance the field.

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Quality of life, Mixed methods, Confirmation, Comprehension,

Background Historical, colonial, and racist policies continue to influence the health of Indigenous people, and they continue to have higher rates of chronic diseases and reduced life expectancy compared with non-Indigenous people. We determined factors accounting for variations in cardiovascular risk factors among First Nations communities in Canada. MethodsMen and women (n=1302) aged 18 years or older from eight First Nations communities participated in a population-based study. Questionnaires, physical measures, blood samples, MRI of preclinical vascular disease, and community audits were collected. In this cross-sectional analysis, the main outcome was the INTERHEART risk score, a measure of cardiovascular risk factor burden. A multivariable model was developed to explain the variations in INTERHEART risk score among communities. The secondary outcome was MRI-detected carotid wall volume, a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis. Findings The mean INTERHEART risk score of all communities was 17•2 (SE 0•2), and more than 85% of individuals had a risk score in the moderate to high risk range. Subclinical atherosclerosis increased significantly across risk score categories (p<0•0001). Socioeconomic advantage (-1•4 score, 95% CI -2•5 to -0•3; p=0•01), trust between neighbours (-0•7, -1•2 to -0•3; p=0•003), higher education level (-1•9, -2•9 to -0•8, p<0•001), and higher social support (-1•1, -2•0 to -0•2; p=0•02) were independently associated with a lower INTERHEART risk score; difficulty accessing routine health care (2•2, 0•3 to 4•1, p=0•02), taking prescription medication (3•5, 2•8 to 4•3; p<0•001), and inability to afford prescription medications (1•5, 0•5 to 2•6; p=0•003) were associated with a higher INTERHEART risk score. Collectively, these factors explained 28% variation in the cardiac risk score among communities. Communities with higher socioeconomic advantage and greater trust, and individuals with higher education and social support, had a lower INTERHEART risk score. Communities with difficulty accessing health care, and individuals taking or unable to afford prescription medications, had a higher INTERHEART risk score. Interpretation Cardiac risk factors are lower in communities with high socioeconomic advantage, greater trust, social support and educational opportunities, and higher where it is difficult to access health care or afford prescription medications. Strategies to optimise the protective factors and reduce barriers to health care in First Nations communities might contribute to improved health and wellbeing.

RÉSUMÉLa population autochtone au Canada, beaucoup plus jeune que la population générale, a connu une tendance au vieillissement depuis les dix dernières années. Utilisant les données de l’Enquete auprès des peuples autochtones de 2001 (EAPA) et l’Enquête sur la santé dans les collectivités canadiennes (ESCC) de 2000/2001, cet article examine les différences dans l’état de santé et les déterminants de la santé et l’utilisation de soins de santé entre la population autochtone de 55 ans et plus et la population non-autochtone. Les résultats montrent que la population plus âgée autochtone est plus malsaine que la population non-autochtone parmi tous les groupes d’âge; cependant, les différences dans l’état de santé entre les groupes d’âge semblent converger avec l’augmentation de l’âge. Parmi personnes âgées de 55 à 64 ans, 7 pour cent de la population autochtone rapport trois ou plusieurs conditions chroniques par rapport à 2 pour cent de la population non-autochtone. Pourtant, parmi personnes âgées de 75 et plus, 51 pour cent de la population autochtone rapport trois ou plusieurs conditions chroniques par rapport à 23 pour cent de la population non-autochtone.

BackgroundTo date, determinants of respiratory health in First Nations people living on reserves and means of addressing and redressing those determinants have not been well established. Hence the Saskatchewan First Nations Lung Health Project (FNLHP) is a new prospective cohort study of aboriginal people being conducted in two First Nations reserves to evaluate potential health determinants associated with respiratory outcomes. Using the population health framework (PHF) of Health Canada, instruments designed with the communities, joint ownership of data, and based on the 4-phase concept of the First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey, the project aims to evaluate individual factors, contextual factors, and principal covariates on respiratory outcomes. The objective of this report is to clearly describe the methodology of (i) the baseline survey that consists of two components, an interviewer-administered questionnaire and clinical assessment; and (ii) potential intervention programs; and present descriptive results of the baseline data of longitudinal FNLHP.MethodsThe study is being conducted over 5 years (2012–2017) in two phases, baseline and longitudinal. Baseline survey has been completed and consisted of (i) an interviewer-administered questionnaire-based evaluation of individual and contextual factors of importance to respiratory health (with special focus on chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and obstructive sleep apnea), and (ii) clinical lung function and allergy tests with the consent of study participants. The address-redress phase consists of potential intervention programs and is currently being rolled out to address-at community level (via green light program and environmental study), and redress-at policy level (via obesity reduction and improved diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea) the issues that have been identified by the baseline data.ResultsInterviewer-administered surveys were conducted in 2012–2013 and collected data on 874 individuals living in 406 households from two reserve communities located in Saskatchewan, Canada. Four hundred and forty six (51%) females and 428 (49%) males participated in the FNLHP.ConclusionsThe information from this project will assist in addressing and redressing many of the issues involved including the provision of adequate housing, health lifestyle practices, and in planning for health service delivery.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13104-015-1137-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Purpose: This article reveals MPT practicum participant perceptions of the impact that a community-based practicum in a Métis community had on their learning in the area of cultural humility and cultural safety. Method: The impact of this community-based practicum intervention in a Métis community on MPT student education was explored using phenomenological descriptive methodology, with data gathered via exit interviews conducted on completion of the community-based practicum. Concepts of cultural humility and safety from the literature, along with themes emerging from practicum participant interviews, informed the analysis and theme development. Results: Participants' experiences were categorized into three themes: (1) realizing Métis community strengths; (2) learning from experiences and shaping future practice; and (3) prioritizing relationships. Findings support that participants demonstrated the practice of cultural humility as a result of engaging in the community-based practicum. Conclusions: Our results highlight the importance of (1) community engagement, (2) community-informed practicum design based on strong relationships, (3) a backbone of reflective practice, and (4) a base of community and student readiness to support practicum success. These essential elements support a cultural humility approach to implementing MPT practicums in Indigenous communities, as well as a practice in reconciliation.