Prevalence and risk factors for self-reported chronic disease amongst Inuvialuit populations.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional survey assessing self-reported chronic disease prevalence and associated factors.
PubMed 21158961 · doi:10.1111/j.1365-277X.2010.01092.x
What was done
Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study of 228 adult Inuvialuit participants aged 19–84 years across three remote communities in Canada's Northwest Territories between July 2007 and July 2008. Data collection included self-reported demographic information, history of chronic conditions (hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer), food frequency questionnaires, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and measured height and weight.
What was found
Community response rates ranged from 65% to 85%. Over 20% of participants reported having a chronic disease. Age-adjusted prevalence rates per 100 were 28 for hypertension, 9 for heart disease, 9 for diabetes, and 6 for cancer. Hypertension was more prevalent among individuals with lower education and higher body mass index, as well as among those reporting heart disease or diabetes. Female participants demonstrated a higher prevalence of heart disease relative to the Canadian national average.
Why it matters
This study provides baseline epidemiological data on chronic disease burden and modifiable risk factors in remote Inuvialuit communities, identifying hypertension and diabetes as primary targets for preventive health interventions in Arctic populations.
Limits
Chronic disease status was strictly self-reported without clinical or biochemical verification, introducing risk of recall and reporting bias. The sample size was modest (n = 228) and restricted to three communities, limiting generalizability across the Arctic. The cross-sectional design cannot establish causality between risk factors and disease outcomes.
Cited by
- contradicts Following the adoption of Western diets, 50% of Inuit populations suffer from cancer, dementia, and diabetes.