The health of Ontario First Nations people: results from the Ontario First Nations Regional Health Survey.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the health of First Nations adults residing on Ontario reserves using data from the Ontario First Nations Regional Health Survey (OFNRHS).


METHODS
Communities were randomly selected; individuals were systematically selected based on gender and age. Health questions were parallel to those used in the National Population Health Survey (NPHS) and included general health, chronic conditions, substance use, and health service utilization.


RESULTS
Response rate was 86% (N=1094) in participating communities; 23 of 30 selected communities participated. Most OFNRHS respondents reported that their health was good or better. Comparisons of OFNRHS participants with NPHS Ontario respondents showed: some chronic health conditions (including diabetes, high blood pressure) were more common; a greater proportion reported smoking; and a substantially lower proportion indicated that they consumed alcohol in the past year.


CONCLUSIONS
The OFNRHS provides important province-wide data to inform decisions by the First Nations people about how to intervene effectively to improve their health status.
MacMillan
Harriet L
HL
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, The Canadian Centre for Studies of Children at Risk, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences, ON. macmilnh@mcmaster.ca
Walsh
Christine A
CA
Jamieson
Ellen
E
Wong
Maria Y Y
MY
Faries
Emily J
EJ
McCue
Harvey
H
MacMillan
Angus B
AB
Offord
David Dan R
DD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D004930:Inuit; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology