Health inequities experienced by Aboriginal children with respiratory conditions and their parents

Can J Nurs Res. 2013 Sep;45(3):6-27. doi: 10.1177/084456211304500302.

Abstract

Asthma and allergies are common conditions among Aboriginal children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to assess the health and health-care inequities experienced by affected children and by their parents. Aboriginal research assistants conducted individual interviews with 46 Aboriginal children and adolescents who had asthma and/or allergies (26 First Nations, 19 Métis, 1 Inuit) and 51 parents or guardians of these children and adolescents. Followup group interviews were conducted with 16 adolescents and 25 parents/ guardians. Participants reported inadequate educational resources, environmental vulnerability, social and cultural pressures, exclusion, isolation, stigma, blame, and major support deficits. They also described barriers to health-service access, inadequate health care, disrespectful treatment and discrimination by health-care providers, and deficient health insurance. These children, adolescents, and parents recommended the establishment of culturally appropriate support and education programs delivered by Aboriginal peers and health professionals.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Asthma / epidemiology*
  • Asthma / psychology
  • Asthma / therapy
  • Canada / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Female
  • Health Services Accessibility*
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / epidemiology*
  • Hypersensitivity / psychology
  • Hypersensitivity / therapy
  • Inuit*
  • Male
  • Social Justice*
  • Young Adult