title: Stillbirth and infant mortality in Aboriginal communities in Quebec.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Infant mortality and stillbirth rates among Aboriginal people are higher than in the rest of Canada, but little is known on the perinatal health status of First Nations people living on reserves. This study examines stillbirth and infant mortality rates among Aboriginal people in Quebec, notably, First Nations people living on reserves, and compares these rates with those of the province's non-Aboriginal population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on live births and stillbirths in Quebec from 1989 to 2008 were extracted from Statistics Canada's Infant Birth-Death Linked File. Postal codes were used to identify births and stillbirths on First Nations reserves, in the Cree and Naskapi communities (not on reserves), and in Inuit communities. Associations between type of community and mortality were measured using logistic regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aboriginal people had a higher stillbirth rate than non-Aboriginal people in Quebec, but this difference was not significant after adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics (mothers' age and education, community size and isolation). Neonatal mortality was also higher among the Inuit. Post-neonatal mortality was higher among Aboriginal people, and was unrelated to differences in the mothers' age and education or to community size and isolation. Adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for post-neonatal mortality on reserves, in the Cree and Naskapi communities, and in Inuit communities were, respectively, 1.57 (1.16 - 2.12), 3.01 (2.14 - 4.24) and 4.29 (3.09 - 5.97).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stillbirth and infant mortality are higher among Aboriginal people than non-Aboriginal people in Quebec. The differences in post-neonatal mortality are particularly pronounced.
authors.affiliation: When this study was conducted, Nicolas Gilbert was with the Quebec Regional Office of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Health Canada, Montreal, Quebec.
authors.forename: Nicolas L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.affiliation: University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Auger
authors.affiliation: Health Analysis Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tjepkema
mesh_terms: D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality / Q000208:ethnology*; D004930:Inuit / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008423:Maternal Age; D011792:Quebec / Q000208:ethnology; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000208:ethnology*
keywords: Databases; First Nations; Inuit; data linkage; vital statistics