Paving a path to inclusion.

Given the Canadian Aboriginal People's colonial legacy of multiple deprivations, the discord between an Aboriginal worldview and the dominant neo-liberal culture in Canada, and the recognized disadvantage vulnerability of single mothers, this quantitative study was aimed at increasing the understanding of exclusion, specifically with reference to the domains of disadvantage of Saskatchewan Aboriginal/Non-Aboriginal single mothers. We conducted a self-administered survey (random selection) of Saskatchewan single mothers (ages 18-59) who had at least one child less than 18 years of age living with them. In our cross-sectional self-administered survey, we compared specific social aspects of life between groups of randomly selected Saskatchewan single mothers, Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal. An exploratory factor analysis identified two factors identified as domains of disadvantage loaded in excess of .30. These two factors accounted for 43% of the common variance in the Aboriginal sample and 47% in the Non-Aboriginal one. What was especially noteworthy was the striking similarity of how these variables tend to cluster together in the two distinct groups from which they were derived. This research will hopefully lead to further studies which endeavor to determine whether such initiatives aimed at enhancing the levels of social inclusion of those regarded as disadvantaged ultimately also impacts their health and well being. Further studies of this nature would help to clarify whether or not the relationship among these measures of adjustment is causal.

Anxiety in a socially high-risk sample of pregnant women in Canada.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if an anxiety dimension in the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) could be identified in a sample of pregnant women with high social risk factors. METHOD: Four hundred women attending prenatal outreach programs, most of whom were single, low-income, and Aboriginal, participated in a study of feelings in pregnancy. The primary outcome measure was the EPDS. Data were also collected on sociodemographic, obstetrical-biological, psychological, and behavioural variables. RESULTS: Factor analysis of the EPDS revealed 3 factors: anxiety, depression, and self-harm. The anxiety factor accounted for the greatest variance in the overall EPDS score. Comparisons of different groups of women revealed significantly more anxiety in the women aged under 19 years, compared with those over 25 years (P < 0.01). Linear regression analysis showed anxiety was associated with age, stressors (that is, pregnancy, health of the baby, birth of the baby, money, and other), history of depression, and fluctuating moods. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety symptoms were predominant in the emotional distress identified by the EPDS in this sample of socially high-risk pregnant women. Younger women appear to experience the highest levels of anxiety. Anxiety in pregnancy in socially high-risk women should not be normalized.

Assessment of family needs following acquired brain injury in Saskatchewan.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: The objective was to learn what the family members of individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) perceived as important needs and to what extent these needs are being met. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Sixty-six individuals who care for someone with an ABI and who receive service from the Saskatchewan South ABI Outreach Team completed the Family Needs Questionnaire (FNQ). MAIN OUTCOMES: An analysis of the importance ratings found that the most important needs were related to health information. Most needs perceived as unmet were related to emotional support. CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers indicated that having honest, accurate comprehensive information regarding the ABI survivor is important. Respondents also indicated that approximately one-half of the needs have gone unmet or only partly met. This study highlights the importance for service providers to assess family needs in order to minimize distress in caregivers, maintenance of the well being of whom is integral in the support of the person with ABI.

An integrated exploration into the social and environmental determinants of health: the Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit (SPHERU).

The Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit (SPHERU) is a new interdisciplinary research institute established by the Universities of Saskatchewan and Regina. SPHERU developed four of its research programs using a hierarchic model of health determining conditions and contexts. In descending order these programs include: Economic and Environmental Globalization, Governance and Health Community/Environment as a Health Determinant Multiple Roles, Gender and Health Determinants of Healthy Childhood Development A fifth program researching the determinants of health of indigenous peoples spans all four levels. Two research projects, one on power, control and health, and another on community capacity building approaches to human service programs, assist SPHERU in developing the theoretical linkages between its programs. This article describes SPHERU's research model and the Unit's approach to research and summarizes each of its current research programs and projects.