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A recent study of the health of Indigenous children in four First Nations Communities in remote northwestern Ontario found that 21% of children had been admitted to hospital for respiratory infections before age 2 years. Here we report a detailed analysis of the housing conditions in these communities. We employed a variety of statistical methods, including linear regression, mixed models, and logistic regression, to assess the correlations between housing conditions and loadings of biocontaminants (dust mite allergens, fungal glucan, and endotoxin) and indoor concentrations of PM2.5, CO2, benzene, and formaldehyde. The houses (n = 101) were crowded with an average of approximately 7 people. Approximately 27% of the homes had sustained CO2 concentrations above 1500 ppm. Most homes had more than one smoker. Commercial tobacco smoking and the use of non-electric heating (e.g., wood, oil) were associated with increased fine particle concentrations. Over 90% of the homes lacked working Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs), which was associated with increased fine particle concentrations and higher CO2. Of the 101 homes, 12 had mold damage sufficient to increase the relative risk of respiratory disease. This resulted from roof leaks, through walls or around the windows due to construction defects or lack of maintenance. A similar percentage had mold resulting from condensation on windows. Endotoxin loadings were much higher than any previous study in Canada. This work provides evidence for the need for more effort to repair existing houses and to ensure the HRVs are properly installed and maintained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Elevated rates of eczema and skin infections in Canadian First Nation (FN) communities are of concern to families, community leaders and healthcare professionals. Aim To determine whether skin morbidity was associated with indoor environmental quality factors in Canadian FN children living in remote communities. Methods We quantified indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in the homes of FN children aged < 4 years of age living in four remote communities in the Sioux Lookout region of Northwestern Ontario, Canada. We conducted a quantitative housing inspection, including measuring surface area of mould (SAM), and monitored air quality for 5 days in each home, including carbon dioxide and relative humidity and quantified endotoxin in settled floor dust. We reviewed the medical charts of participating children for skin conditions and administered a health questionnaire. Relationships between IEQ and skin infections or eczema were evaluated using multivariable regression. Results In total, 98 children were included in the descriptive analyses, of whom 86 had complete data and were evaluated in multivariate analyses for dermatological outcomes (mean age 1.6 years). Of these 86 children, 55% had made ≥ 1 visits to the local health centre (HC) for skin and soft tissue infections and 25.5% for eczema. Unexpectedly, annualized eczema visits were inversely associated with SAM (RR = 0.14; 95% CI 0.01–0.93). There was a trend suggesting an inverse relationship between endotoxin and HC encounters for eczema and skin and soft tissue infections. Conclusion Skin infections were common in this population of FN children. IEQ did not appear to be associated with skin infections or eczema. Mould exposure appeared to be inversely associated with HC encounters for eczema, possibly related to complex microorganism–host interactions occurring early in life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rates of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) among First Nations (FN) children living in Canada are elevated. We aimed to quantify indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in the homes of FN children in isolated communities and evaluate any associations with respiratory morbidity. Methods: We performed a crosssectional evaluation of 98 FN children (81 with complete data) aged 3 years or younger, living in 4 FN communities in the Sioux Lookout region of Northern Ontario. We performed medical chart reviews and administered questionnaires. We performed a housing inspection, including quantifying the interior surface area of mould (SAM). We monitored air quality for 5 days in each home and quantified the contaminant loading of settled floor dust, including endotoxin. We analyzed associations between IEQ variables and respiratory conditions using univariable and multivariable analyses. Results: Participants had a mean age of 1.6 years and 21% had been admitted to hospital for respiratory infections before age 2 years. Houses were generally crowded (mean occupancy 6.6 [standard deviation 2.6, range 3-17] people per house). Serious housing concerns were frequent, including a lack of functioning controlled ventilation. The mean SAM in the occupied space was 0.2 m2. In multivariable modelling, there was evidence of an association of LRTI with log endotoxin (p = 0.07) and age (p = 0.02), and for upper respiratory tract infections, with SAM (p = 0.07) and age (p = 0.03). Wheeze with colds was associated with log endotoxin (p = 0.03) and age (p = 0.04). Interpretation: We observed poor housing conditions and an association between endotoxin and wheezing in young FN children living in Northern Ontario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a research on fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) concentration in Windsor, Ontario. It explores FENO as useful indicator of airway inflammation in children and adults with asthma. It reveals that FENO concentration appeared to be affected by race, age and height in the healthy school-aged children.

Background: High rates of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), including bronchiolitis and pneumonia, have been reported in Inuit infants living in arctic Canada. We examined rates of LRTI in First Nations Canadian infants living in the Sioux Lookout Zone, in Northern Ontario., Methods: A retrospective review of hospital admissions for LRTI during a 5-year period, in patients <1 year of age was carried out at the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, an acute-care hospital that provides secondary care to 31 mainly isolated communities and the town of Sioux Lookout. Admission rates were compared with those in the province of Ontario, as a whole., Results: One-hundred and seventeen subjects were identified. The annualized rate of admission for nonbacterial LRTI was 44 per 1000 infants <1 year of age per year. This rate was significantly higher than for the whole province (P = 0.011). Admission rates also varied significantly between communities (P < 0.001).Thirteen percent of subjects required transfer to a tertiary care center. A virus was identified in 55% (36/65) of subjects tested for respiratory viruses, and respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus were identified most often. Of patients who had a blood culture performed, bacteria were found in 10% (6/59) of subjects. Many patients had radiographic evidence of consolidation, consistent with pneumonia., Conclusions: Rates of LRTI are significantly elevated in First Nations infants living in the Sioux Lookout Zone. Varying rates between communities suggest that environmental factors may be contributing to rates of LRTI in this population.