Increased influenza-related healthcare utilization by residents of an urban aboriginal community.
Epidemiol Infect
; 139(12): 1902-8, 2011 Dec.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21251347
ABSTRACT
Most studies describing high rates of acute respiratory illness in aboriginals have focused on rural or remote communities. Hypothesized causes include socioeconomic deprivation, limited access to healthcare, and a high prevalence of chronic disease. To assess influenza rates in an aboriginal community while accounting for healthcare access, deprivation and chronic disease prevalence, we compared rates of influenza-related outpatient and emergency-department visits in an urban Mohawk reserve (Kahnawáke) to rates in neighbouring regions with comparable living conditions and then restricted the analysis to a sub-population with a low chronic disease prevalence, i.e. those aged <20 years. Using medical billing claims from 1996 to 2006 we estimated age-sex standardized rate ratios. The rate in Kahnawáke was 58% greater than neighbouring regions and 98% greater in the analysis of those aged <20 years. Despite relatively favourable socioeconomic conditions and healthcare access, rates of influenza-related visits in Kahnawáke were elevated, particularly in the younger age groups.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Indians, North American
/
Urban Health
/
Influenza, Human
/
Health Services
Type of study:
Etiology_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
/
Implementation_research
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
/
Newborn
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Journal:
Epidemiol Infect
Journal subject:
DOENCAS TRANSMISSIVEIS
/
EPIDEMIOLOGIA
Year:
2011
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Estados Unidos