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Factors associated with human papillomavirus infection detected by polymerase chain reaction among urban Canadian aboriginal and non-aboriginal women.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and correlates of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among women attending an ethnically mixed, predominantly low-income, inner-city primary care clinic. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey (N = 1,477). Demographic, behavioral, and reproductive history data were collected by questionnaire. Cervical swabs were analyzed for gonorrhea and chlamydial infections, abnormal cytology, and HPV infection assessed by PCR followed by hybridization for types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, and 35. RESULTS: Human papillomavirus was detected in 33% of specimens, with no significant difference between Aboriginal (AB) and non-Aboriginal women. Adjusting for AB status, HPV infection was associated with marital status, condom use, number of sexual partners (last year and lifetime), age at first sexual intercourse, a history of sexual abuse, and current abnormal Papanicolaou (Pap) smear. In multivariate analyses excluding abnormal Pap smear as an independent variable, marital status and the number of lifetime sexual partners were found to be significant independent predictors of HPV infection. Comparing individuals with 20+ lifetime sexual partners and those with 1 or fewer partners, the odds ratio (OR) for HPV infection was 1.90 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.66-2.17) among AB women and 1.54 among non-AB women (95% CI 1.36-1.73). The OR for infection with HPV types 6 and 11 was 1.39 (95% CI 1.22-1.58), whereas for the high oncogenic risk types of 16, 18, 31, 33, and 35, the OR was 1.82 (95% CI 1.65-2.01). CONCLUSIONS: No differences were found between AB and non-AB women in the detection of HPV DNA, despite the higher risk for cervical cancer and the prevalence of recognized behavioral and reproductive risk factors among AB women. This study also indicates that the association of sexual activity with HPV infection holds true for both high- and low-oncogenic HPV types.

American Indian or Alaska Native↗

Oncogenic human papillomavirus infection and cervical lesions in aboriginal women of Nunavut, Canada.

BACKGROUND: The high rate of cervical cancer among aboriginal women of northern Canada has prompted the search for more aggressive methods to augment Papanicolaou (Pap) screening in this population. Nearly all cervical cancers result from oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. This has generated interest for incorporating HPV testing into the current screening program. GOALS: To determine the prevalence of oncogenic HPVs in Nunavut, and to assess the association between HPV and squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL). STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the Pap-screened populations in 19 communities of Nunavut, Canada. Liquid-based cytology was used to screen for SIL. HPV testing was performed using the Hybrid Capture II assay. Correlates of HPV infection and SIL were assessed by logistic regression with control for potential confounders. RESULTS: In 1290 women ages 13 to 79 years, the prevalence rate was 26% for oncogenic HPV and 6.9% for SIL. The odds ratio for the association between HPV and SIL was 37.9 (95% CI, 17.7-80.8) after multivariate adjustment. This association increased markedly with increasing viral load. More than 90% of the women with squamous intraepithelial lesions had positive test results for HPV. More than 75% of the women who had positive test results for HPV but negative test results for SIL were younger than 30 years. CONCLUSION: The results of this study form the basis for further evaluation of the role that liquid-based cytology and HPV testing plays and will contribute to the strategy for cervical cancer prevention in Nunavut.

Adolescent↗

Origin of Aymaras from Bolivia and their relationship with other Amerindians according to HLA genes.

Aymara Amerindians from the Titicaca Lake Andean highlands are studied for HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 gene frequencies. Genetic distances, neighbour-joining and correspondence analyses are performed by using other Amerindian and worldwide populations (15384 chromosomes are studied). The HLA genetic profile of Aymaras is different from neighbouring and language-related Quechuas (Incas). Both Quechuas and Aymaras seem to present an HLA-DRB1*0901 high frequency, which is present in a very low frequency or absent in Mesoamericans (Mazatecans, Mayans) and most studied Amerindians. Moreover, it is observed a closer relatedness of Aymaras with Amerindians from the Amazon Basin and Chaco lowlands, compared to Quechuans.

American Indian or Alaska Native↗

Molecular variability of the 16p13.3 region in Amerindians and its anthropological significance.

A total of 1558 base pairs in the 16p13.3 region were investigated in 98 individuals of Mongolian, Northern Arctic and Amerindian affiliation, and the results compared with those obtained in a previous worldwide study of the same genomic region. Fifty-five polymorphic sites could be classified into thirty-five haplotypes from the total data. A median joining network based on the haplotypes revealed two distinct clusters: one with low diversity, with haplotypes found in all five geographic-ethnic categories; while the other, with the most divergent haplotypes, was composed mainly of Africans and a few Amerindians. Almost all neutrality parameters yielded significantly negative values. Demographic simulations with the exclusively Amerindian dataset rejected all scenarios, including a bottleneck beginning more than 12,000 years ago. The demographic scenarios tested considering population growth were similar among the Amerindian and worldwide or Eurasian data sets. The results suggest that Amerindians are a representative sample of Eurasian populations, preserving the signal of demographic growth from the out of Africa exodus and, together with data from uniparental markers, support a scenario of a bottleneck of moderate intensity during the peopling of the New World.

American Indian or Alaska Native↗

Kidney transplantation outcomes in Canadian aboriginals.

Aboriginal populations experience a very high rate of end-stage renal disease (ESRD); however, little is known about the outcomes of transplantation in this population. We performed a retrospective database review to determine the short- and long-term outcomes of kidney transplantation in Aboriginals. Adult Aboriginal (AB) and Caucasian (C) individuals receiving primary kidney transplants between 1969 and 2003 in Manitoba, Canada were examined. A total of 705 recipients were included (126 AB and 579 C). AB recipients were younger, had different etiologies of ESRD, longer cold-ischemic times for deceased donor transplants, and higher peak panel reactive antibody levels. At 1 year post-transplant, there was no difference in serum creatinine, acute rejection or graft survival between AB and C recipients. However, AB recipients experienced greater weight gains early post-transplant and were more likely to develop post-transplant diabetes mellitus. AB recipients exhibited inferior 10-year graft (AB 26% vs. C 47%, p < 0.01) and patient survival (AB 50% vs. 75%, p < 0.01). When graft survival was censored for death with a functioning graft, there was no difference between the two groups. Multivariate analysis revealed AB race to be an independent predictor of premature graft failure and patient death. In conclusion, kidney transplant outcomes have historically been inferior in the Manitoba population of Canadian Aboriginals.

Adult↗

The oral health status among residents of the Magadan Oblast, Russian Far East.

In April 1991, an oral health situation analysis team comprising oral health professionals from the Alaska Area Native Health Service, the World Health Organization, and the Moscow Medical Stomatological Institute visited the Magadan region of the Soviet Far East at the request of the Ministries of Health of both the Russian Republic and the then-Soviet Union. As few oral health data had been available specific to the Magadan region, the purpose of the trip was to gather data concerning oral diseases epidemiology, demography, and health systems of the communities of Magadan, Seymchan, and Provideniya as the basis for recommendations and plan development. The data were collected using standard WHO methodology. The analysis team examined children in the age cohorts of 3-5, 6-7, 12, and 15 years. In addition, adults aged 35-44 and 65-74 years were examined in Magadan and Seymchan. Both caries and periodontal rates are high, with a rate of 4.3 DMFT among 12-year-olds in the total region, but up to 5.4 DMFT in one location. Specific findings and recommendations have been forwarded to local community and health officials. The project is ongoing, and plans are underway to provide continuing assistance in designing and implementing an effective program for the prevention and treatment of oral diseases.

Adolescent↗

Karat, pulque, and gac: three shining stars in the traditional food galaxy.

Karat banana, pulque prepared from Agave species, and gac fruit are three traditional local food items recently studied intensively for their nutrition potential among traditional and indigenous peoples, and are examples of how local food-based strategies can be used to ensure micronutrient nutrition. Successful health promotion and intervention programs emphasizing traditional food systems are few in the international literature, but offer promise in understanding the potential of food-based strategies. Traditional food strategies could be used not only for alleviating malnutrition, but also for developing locally relevant programs for stemming the nutrition transition and preventing chronic disease, particularly among indigenous and traditional peoples who retain knowledge of using food species in their local ecosystems.

Alcoholic Beverages↗

Using genetic admixture to study the biology of obesity traits and to map genes in admixed populations.

Differences among ethnic and racial groups in obesity-related traits have been clearly established in the scientific literature. To explore the genetic component underlying these differences, the genetic admixture approach has been used. In this approach, ancestry informative genetic markers are used to estimate a quantitative value representing the degree of ancestral background in individuals of admixed genetic background. Genetic admixture has been successfully used to explain racial and ethnic variation in obesity related traits; however, the understanding and measure of cultural and environmental components that also influence these phenotypes still requires further exploration.

American Indian or Alaska Native↗

Benefits and risks of traditional food for Indigenous Peoples: focus on dietary intakes of Arctic men.

A variety of community and external pressures on Indigenous Peoples are leading to increased use of food that is available through industrialization and market economics; food in traditional food systems derived from local, natural environments is declining in use. This report focusses on dietary intake of Arctic men. While nutrient density of Arctic traditional food systems is superior to that of the composite of market food consumed in the North, the percentage of men's daily energy derived from market food is more than double that from traditional food in some communities. Older members of communities consume more traditional food than younger members; men consume more traditional food than do women. In addition to providing excellent nutrition and opportunities for physical exercise. Indigenous Peoples identify many sociocultural benefits to the harvest and use of traditional food. Evaluation of environmental accumulation of organochlorines in wildlife animal food species shows that risk of organochlorine consumption is higher in food systems containing sea mammals, and that tolerance levels for some organochlorines may be exceeded.

Age Distribution↗

Tuberculosis among aboriginal and nonaboriginal persons in British Columbia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare cases of tuberculosis (TB) diagnosed among aboriginal persons with a random sample of nonaboriginal persons diagnosed with TB, and evaluate the trends in rates of disease between both groups during the same period. DESIGN: A case-control study. SETTING: A provincial TB control program. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients with TB diagnosed among aboriginal persons in British Columbia between 1992 and 1996 were compared with control patients diagnosed during the same period. For each patient a control patient was identified. INTERVENTION: The demographic details, type of disease, bacteriology, risk factors for TB, therapy received as well as mode of administration were documented. The number of contacts identified for each patient as well as the number of patients completing chemoprophylaxis were identified. The rates of disease during the same period were also documented. RESULTS: During the study, 202 patients with TB were diagnosed among aboriginal persons and 201 controls were chosen. Apart from age at diagnosis (35.1+/-20 years versus 45.7+/-19.7), differences in the prevalence of lymphadenopathy (5.9% versus 16.4%, P=0.0008) and pleural disease (21.3% versus 16.4%, P=0.00008), there were no differences in presentation between aboriginal and nonaboriginal people. Aboriginal people were more likely to have a history of contact with a patient with TB (53% versus 17.9%, P<0.05), to have received directly observed therapy (55% versus 33.8%, P=0.00002) and to have contacts who were purified protein derivative (PPD) positive (4+/-9 versus 2+/-3, P=0.002). These contacts were more likely to start isoniazid (2+/-3 versus 1+/-1, P=0.002). Overall, there was a significant decline in rates of TB among aboriginal persons compared with the general population, but there was a small increase in rates among all subjects in the final year of the study. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, significant variations in rates of TB among different population groups in British Columbia were found. During the study period, there was a greater decline in the rates of TB among aboriginal persons. A greater use of directly observed therapy and greater use of chemoprophylaxis occurred among aboriginal persons, which may have contributed to this decline, or alternatively, it simply reflects the natural evolution of the TB epidemic.

Adolescent↗

Increased frequency of HLA A2/DR4 and A2/DR8 haplotypes in young saskatchewan aboriginal people with diabetic end-stage renal disease.

AIMS: To determine the association of HLA with diabetic end-stage renal disease (DESRD) in Saskatchewan aboriginal people. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of HLA profiles in four groups of Saskatchewan residents with ESRD diagnosed from 1980 to 1998: aboriginal people with and without DESRD, and non-aboriginal people with and without DESRD. The aboriginal DESRD group was also subdivided into those 50 years of age. Frequencies of individual and combinations of HLA antigens were compared between groups and subgroups. RESULTS: HLA data were available for 634 subjects. Young aboriginal people with DESRD had a higher frequency of HLA-A2 than older AB DESRD subjects (69 vs. 36%; p = 0.03), and of HLA-DR4 and/or DR8 compared to older AB DESRD subjects (91 vs. 68%; p = 0.07) and AB non-DESRD subjects (91 vs. 67%; p = 0.03). Over 65% of young AB DESRD subjects had either an A2/DR4 or A2/DR8 haplotype (odds ratio 5.09 [confidence intervals 1.35, 20.15] versus older AB DESRD subjects; odds ratio 3.32 [confidence intervals 1.20, 9.3] versus AB non-DESRD subjects). Forty percent of young AB DESRD subjects were homozygous for at least one of A2, DR4 or DR8. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that DESRD in young AB subjects with T2DM has a genetic basis related to HLA.

Adult↗

Incidence of multiple sclerosis among First Nations people in Alberta, Canada.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is thought to be rare among North American aboriginals, although few population-based frequency studies have been conducted. Data from government health databases were used to describe the incidence of MS among First Nations aboriginal people in the province of Alberta compared to the general population from 1994 to 2002. The general population rates were consistently higher than First Nations rates, but were essentially stable across this time span for both groups. For First Nations the MS incidence was 7.6 per 100,000 and 20.6 per 100,000 for the general population in 2002. During 2000-2002 for First Nations the incidence was 12.7 for females and 7.6 for males, with a female-to-male ratio of 1.7:1. During the same period the general population incidence was 32.2 for females and 12.7 for males, with a female-to-male ratio of 2.5:1. The peak incidence for both First Nations and the general population of Alberta was in the age group 30-39 years in 2002. The high incidence rates are consistent with high prevalence rates reported for both groups in 2002: 99.9 per 100,000 for First Nations and 335.0 per 100,000 for the general population. While the MS incidence in First Nations people is lower than in the general population of Alberta, it is not rare by worldwide standards.

Adult↗

Twice weekly isoniazid and rifampin treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in Canadian plains Aborigines.

Six months of twice weekly directly observed isoniazid and rifam-picin treatment of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection was implemented to improve the outcome of treatment. A total of 591 infected aborigines without previous tuberculosis or treatment of latent TB infection received twice weekly isoniazid and rifampicin for 6 mo from 1992 to 1995. The outcome was compared with 403 infected aborigines without previous tuberculosis or treatment of latent TB infection who received self-administered isoniazid daily for 1 yr from 1986 to 1989. Of patients, 487 (82%) completed the twice weekly 6-mo regimen compared with 77 (19%) who completed the daily 12-mo regimen. The main reason for incomplete treatment was default. Both groups were followed over a 6-yr period. The rate of tuberculosis in the twice-weekly isoniazid and rifampicin-treated patients was 0.9/1,000 patient-years compared with 9/1,000 patient-years in the daily isoniazid-treated patients. The rate of side effects was higher for directly observed treatment patients, 136/1,000 patient-years of drugs, compared with 39/ 1,000 patient-years for self-administered treatment patients. Life-threatening side effects such as skin allergic reactions and hepatitis were the same in both groups. A regimen of 52 doses of directly observed twice weekly isoniazid and rifampicin is an effective and well-tolerated regimen to improve the outcome of the treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in a population with a high rate of default with daily self-administered isoniazid.

Adolescent↗

Dominant group members in intergroup interaction: safety or vulnerability in numbers?

An experiment examined how low- and high-prejudice dominant group members' (LPs' and HPs') reactions to intergroup contact were affected by whether they were accompanied by fellow ingroup members who exhibited prejudice-relevant behavior. Participants answered questions alone or in a group and then estimated how they were viewed by an observer who was an ingroup or an outgroup member. HPs believed that they were viewed more negatively by an outgroup member in the individual than the group condition. LPs showed the opposite effect, which led them to evaluate the outgroup member more negatively in the group condition. All participants in the group condition expected an outgroup member to exaggerate their similarity to the other ingroup members present, and LPs evaluated the other ingroup members more negatively when the observer was an outgroup member. The results suggest that intergroup attitudes guide the types of intergroup contact situations that are experienced most positively.

Adult↗

Miscommunications surrounding efforts to reach out across group boundaries.

Two studies examined the communication of friendship interest within versus across group boundaries in relatively intimate exchanges. The main hypothesis was that so long as reasonable levels of friendship interest were in place, individuals would be more apt to exaggerate the clarity of their overtures (i.e., to exhibit a signal amplification bias) in intergroup as compared to within-group interaction. In line with predictions, this pattern was evident for lower-prejudice individuals, who were equally interested in ingroup and outgroup members as potential friends, but not for higher-prejudice individuals, who were relatively disinterested in cross-group friendship and instead tended to underestimate the friendship interest they conveyed to outgroup members. In contrast with the implications of past research centering on trait impressions and impersonal exchanges, both of these effects appeared to be driven by heightened feelings of transparency in intergroup as compared to within-group interaction.

Adolescent↗

Prescription medication use among an aboriginal population accessing addiction treatment.

OBJECTIVES: Inappropriate prescription medication use can have significant consequences. Although it is suspected that Aboriginal populations within Canada have high rates of inappropriate use, published information is lacking. To better understand this issue, we studied an Aboriginal population seeking addiction treatment. METHODS: We surveyed Aboriginal clients who accessed addiction treatment in Calgary, Alberta, for prescription medication use in the previous year, frequency of medication use, and medication source(s), if inappropriately used. RESULTS: Sixty-nine percent of the clients completed the survey (n = 144). Most respondents were aged 31 to 50 years (56%), and 52% were male. Of the respondents, 48% reported that they used prescription medication inappropriately, 8% indicated appropriate use, and the rest indicated no medication use. Sedatives or relaxants were most frequently used inappropriately. Among those who inappropriately used medication, 47% used medication more than 10 times in the previous year. Common sources for those who used medication inappropriately included medication given by a friend or a stranger (52%), medication bought on the street (45%), and medication prescribed by a physician (41%). Age greater than or equal to 30 years was associated with inappropriate use. Sex, residence, and Aboriginal status were not found to be associated with inappropriate use. CONCLUSION: Inappropriate prescription medication use was a significant problem among an Aboriginal population that sought addiction treatment, and many of these individuals accessed medication from a prescribing physician.

Adolescent↗

Aboriginal healing: regaining balance and culture.

This ethnographic study explored the question, How do urban-based First Nations peoples use healing traditions to address their health issues? The objectives were to examine how Aboriginal traditions addressed health issues and explore the link between such traditions and holism in nursing practice. Data collection consisted of individual interviews, participant observations, and field notes. Three major categories that emerged from the data analysis were: following a cultural path, gaining balance, and sharing in the circle of life. The global theme of healing holistically included following a cultural path by regaining culture through the use of healing traditions; gaining balance in the four realms of spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health; and sharing in the circle of life by cultural interactions between Aboriginal peoples and non-Aboriginal health professionals. Implications for practice include incorporating the concepts of balance, holism, and cultural healing into the health care services for diverse Aboriginal peoples.

Adult↗

Aboriginal grandmothers' experience with health promotion and participatory action research.

This article describes a case study examining the effects of participating in a health promotion project, one aspect of which was a health assessment conducted using participatory action research. The study was carried out over 2.5 years in a project for older Aboriginal women (hereafter known as the grandmothers). Participation in the project and health assessment contributed to a number of changes in them, which were categorized as cleansing and healing, connecting with self, acquiring knowledge and skills, connecting within the group, and external exposure and engagement. This experience demonstrated an approach to health promotion programming and conducting a health assessment that was acceptable to this group of people and fostered changes congruent with empowerment.

Aged↗