International journal of circumpolar health
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Int J Circumpolar Health · Dec 2022
ReviewHealth effects of voluntary exposure to cold water - a continuing subject of debate.
This review is based on a multiple database survey on published literature to determine the effects on health following voluntary exposure to cold-water immersion (CWI) in humans. After a filtering process 104 studies were regarded relevant. Many studies demonstrated significant effects of CWI on various physiological and biochemical parameters. ⋯ Whether winter swimmers as a group are naturally healthier is unclear. Some of the studies indicate that voluntary exposure to cold water has some beneficial health effects. However, without further conclusive studies, the topic will continue to be a subject of debate.
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Int J Circumpolar Health · Dec 2019
Multimorbidity prevalence in Canada: a comparison of Northern Territories with Provinces, 2013/14.
Rapid social, economic, and environmental changes in the northern territories of Canada have raised concerns about potentially increasing levels of chronic disease. This concern prompted us to compare multimorbidity prevalence in Canada between the territories and provinces. We analyzed Canadian Community Health Survey data for 2013/14. ⋯ Sensitivity analyses from propensity score analyses had similar conclusions. Effect modification analyses identified lower multimorbidity in territories versus provinces among households without a post-secondary graduate (adj-OR = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.34-0.61 for northern residence), males (adj-OR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.54-0.93), and ages 12-29 years (adj-OR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.39-0.99). Caution is needed in interpreting the results in light of representativeness of CCHS in northern populations of Canada.
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Int J Circumpolar Health · Jan 2019
Buffering effects of social support for Indigenous males and females living with historical trauma and loss in 2 First Nation communities.
Globally, Indigenous mental health research has increasingly focused on strengths-based theory to understand how positive factors influence wellness. However, few studies have examined how social support buffers the effects of trauma and stress on the mental health of Indigenous people. Using survey data from 207 males and 279 females in 2 Ontario First Nations we examined whether social support diminished the negative effects of perceived racism, historical trauma and loss on depression and/or anxiety. ⋯ For females with low social support, depression/anxiety was significantly higher among those who had experienced childhood adversities versus those with none; however, for those with high level of social support, the association was not significant. The same relationships were not found for males. Possible reasons are that males and females might experience depression/anxiety differently, or the social support measure might not adequately capture social support for First Nations males.
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Int J Circumpolar Health · Jan 2019
Language and identity in an Indigenous teacher education program.
The Inuit Bachelor of Education (IBED) and the associated Inuktitut language training, developed by the Nunatsiavut Government, has been an opportunity to explore the relationships between cultural identity and learning an Indigenous heritage language as a second language. Language holds the collective knowledge of a group and cultural identity is one's own perception of connection to the group. A group of preservice teachers are being interviewed twice a year for three years. ⋯ The narratives thus far reflect how language learning may contribute to an increased awareness of, and connection to, one's Indigenous group. The strengthening of cultural identity can enhance wellbeing, which has implications for the learning of these pre-service teachers and the impact on their future students. This is a preliminary report from the on-going research.
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Int J Circumpolar Health · Jan 2017
Inuit interpreters engaged in end-of-life care in Nunavik, Northern Quebec.
Inuit interpreters are key players in end-of-life (EOL) care for Nunavik patients and families. This emotionally intensive work requires expertise in French, English and Inuit dialects to negotiate linguistic and cultural challenges. Cultural differences among medical institutions and Inuit communities can lead to value conflicts and moral dilemmas as interpreters navigate how best to transmit messages of care at EOL. ⋯ Inuit interpreters in Nunavik are working with little training yet in context with multiple linguistic and cultural challenges. Linguistic and cultural resources and focused training on moral dilemmas unique to circumpolar contexts could contribute to improved work conditions and ultimately to patient care..