Abstract
BackgroundRespiratory health conditions appear to be more common among First Nations people versus non-First Nations people in Canada. However, the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its associated risk factors in First Nations communities are unknown. This project aims to estimate the prevalence of COPD in several First Nations communities in British Columbia, Canada and to characterize respiratory symptoms, COPD risk factors, and healthcare utilization.MethodsThis project is approved by both the University of British Columbia and Carrier Sekani Family Services Research Ethics Boards. We will randomly sample 220 adults, 30 years and older, from 11 participating First Nations. Each participant will complete pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry tests and the adapted American Thoracic Society Epidemiological Questionnaire with items about smoking history, respiratory symptoms, co-morbidities, and exposures, in order to identify the presence of COPD and its associated individual, occupational, and community risk factors. Homes will be assessed for air quality measures including particulate matter, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, and humidity. Health care utilization will be abstracted from the electronic medical record.DiscussionThis is the first project in Canada to estimate the prevalence of COPD in First Nations communities using a random-sampling approach to recruitment. Additionally, although this study will collect detailed information on smoking history, we will also characterize past and current risk factors beyond cigarette smoking. Finally, our methodology ensures that the benefits to the communities are realized during the study period. Individual results will be shared with individuals and health providers to facilitate care. Air quality results will be sent to each Nation’s governing council to facilitate remediation where necessary.Trial registrationThe study has been retrospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04105088).
Highlights
IntroductionThe prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its associated risk factors in First Nations communities are unknown
Respiratory health conditions appear to be more common among First Nations people versus nonFirst Nations people in Canada
Turner et al International Journal for Equity in Health (2020) 19:123 (Continued from previous page). This is the first project in Canada to estimate the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in First Nations communities using a random-sampling approach to recruitment
Summary
The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its associated risk factors in First Nations communities are unknown. With respect to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the First Nations people have a wealth of knowledge related to health and wellness [2], the impacts of colonization and subsequent past and current harmful government policies introduced several individual- and populationlevel factors which negatively influence lung health and increase the risk for COPD. In the Canadian province of British Columbia, the current prevalence of cigarette smoking in Indigenous populations is approximately twice that of non-Indigenous populations (39–40% versus 18–23%, respectively) [4] with a similar trend seen for marijuana smoking [6], further increasing their risk
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
