Search

Objective: To depict the design, methods, sociodemographic characteristics of the population, and lessons learned during the Qanuilirpitaa?2017 Nunavik Inuit Health Survey, the third major health survey to be conducted among youth and adults residing in Nunavik (Northern Quebec, Canada). Methods: Qanuilirpitaa?2017 is a cross-sectional survey that served to update information regarding various aspects of physical health, mental health, and general well-being of Nunavimmiut. The survey was guided by the ethics principles of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP®) (https://fnigc.ca/ocap). Questionnaires and clinical tests were administered to residents from the 14 coastal communities onboard the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Amundsenduring late summer and early fall 2017. As part of the community component of the survey, qualitative interviews were performed with key respondents, and services and resources supporting health and well-being in the 14 communities were inventoried and characterized. Results: A total of 1326 Nunavimmiut aged 16 and over participated in the survey. Despite difficulties encountered with the recruitment of participants, co-interpretation sessions with Inuit partners revealed that the survey had succeeded in capturing cultural, socio-economic, and lifestyle characteristics of Nunavimmiut. In all, 20 thematic reports have been published covering various aspects of health and well-being of Nunavimmiut. Regional and local reports pertaining to the community component were produced. More in-depth analyses have ensued, and results are presented in articles published in this CJPH supplement issue. Conclusion: Information from this survey is being used to update health services and programs in the region and for the development of health policies and public health interventions to tackle key health-related issues faced by Nunavimmiut. Drawing lessons from challenges and successes encountered in Qanuilirpitaa?2017, this survey paved the way to the upcoming Inuit-led Qanuippitaa?National Inuit Health Survey to be conducted every 5 years throughout Inuit Nunangat.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) and anemia and study their main distal and proximal protective and risk factors among Nunavimmiut 16 years and older in 2017. Methods: In a cross-sectional participatory survey of 831 women and 436 men from the Qanuilirpitaa?2017 Nunavik Inuit Health Survey, venous blood samples were collected to measure various indicators of iron status and anemia as well as biomarkers of nutritional and inflammatory status and contaminant exposures. Sociodemographic, food security status, anthropometric, lifestyle, dietary, and health data were collected using questionnaires, clinical sessions, and a medical chart review. ID and anemia diagnoses were based on serum ferritin (SF) and hemoglobin (Hb), respectively. Multiple regressions were used to assess correlates of anemia and iron status. Results: Prevalence of ID was highest among women of childbearing age (16–49 years old, 33%) and anemia among adults aged 50 years and older (31%). These estimates are prone to biases due to the relatively low participation rate (37%). Serum vitamin D, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid content of erythrocyte membranes, blood selenium, inflammation, higher socioeconomic status (SES), obesity, and alcohol consumption were all positively associated with SF, while Helicobacter pyloriinfection and a recent pregnancy were negatively associated with Hb among women of childbearing age. Among older adults, food insecurity was associated with lower SF. Conclusion: While data reported here provide some indication of an improvement since the previous survey conducted in 2004, additional efforts should be devoted to further increasing the SES and access to country foods and nutritious market foods in this population, the two main protective factors against ID and anemia identified in the present study.