Abstract
Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have considerable potential for inequities in diagnosis and treatment, thereby affecting vulnerable groups. To evaluate differences in asthma and COPD prevalence between adult Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations. MEDLINE, Embase, specialized databases and the grey literature up to October 2011 were searched to identify epidemiological studies comparing asthma and COPD prevalence between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal adult populations. Prevalence ORs (PORs) and 95% CIs were calculated in a random-effects meta-analysis. Of 132 studies, eight contained relevant data. Aboriginal populations included Native Americans, Canadian Aboriginals, Australian Aboriginals and New Zealand Maori. Overall, Aboriginals were more likely to report having asthma than non-Aboriginals (POR 1.41 [95% CI 1.23 to 1.60]), particularly among Canadian Aboriginals (POR 1.80 [95% CI 1.68 to 1.93]), Native Americans (POR 1.41 [95% CI 1.13 to 1.76]) and Maori (POR 1.64 [95% CI 1.40 to 1.91]). Australian Aboriginals were less likely to report asthma (POR 0.49 [95% CI 0.28 to 0.86]). Sex differences in asthma prevalence between Aboriginals and their non-Aboriginal counterparts were not identified. One study compared COPD prevalence between Native and non-Native Americans, with similar rates in both groups (POR 1.08 [95% CI 0.81 to 1.44]). Differences in asthma prevalence between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations exist in a variety of countries. Studies comparing COPD prevalence between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations are scarce. Further investigation is needed to identify and account for factors associated with respiratory health inequalities among Aboriginal peoples.
Highlights
Aboriginals were more likely to report having asthma than non-Aboriginals (POR 1.41 [95% CI 1.23 to 1.60]), among Canadian Aboriginals (POR 1.80 [95% CI 1.68 to 1.93]), Native Americans (POR 1.41 [95% CI 1.13 to 1.76]) and Maori (POR 1.64 [95% CI 1.40 to 1.91])
COnCluSIOnS: Differences in asthma prevalence between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations exist in a variety of countries
Subgroup analyses of moderately heterogeneous studies according to Aboriginal type showed that the odds of reporting asthma were significantly less in Australian Aboriginals compared with non-Aboriginal Australians (POR 0.49 [95% CI 0.28 to 0.86])
Summary
Une étude a comparé la prévalence de MPOC entre les Autochtones et non-Autochtones américains et a obtenu des taux similaires dans les deux groupes (RRRP 1,08 [95 % IC 0,81 à 1,44]). D’autres explorations s’imposent pour déterminer et prendre en compte les facteurs associés aux disparités en santé au sein des peuples autochtones Obstructive lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are respiratory conditions that impose an enormous burden on society. An estimated 300 million people worldwide have asthma [1] and up to 10% of adults older than 40 years of age may have COPD [2,3], with perhaps millions remaining undiagnosed These conditions carry the potential for inequities in diagnosis, treatment and access to health services, thereby affecting vulnerable groups in society [4,5]. Inequalities in health status occur when one group in the population experiences differences in health outcomes compared with another group that often result from social, cultural, economic, environmental or geographical influences [6] such as sex, education level, occupation, income, employment status, refugee background, religious beliefs, disability, rurality, ethnicity and Aboriginal identity [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
