Spirometric Findings among School-Aged First Nations Children on a Reserve: A Pilot Study ...

• Main Authors: Sin, Don D, Sharpe, Heather M, Cowie, Robert L, Man, SF Paul, On Behalf Of The Alberta Strategy To Help Manage Asthma ASTHMA Executive Committee
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: University of Calgary 2004
• Subjects: Canada; First Nations
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.11575/prism/44971; https://prism.ucalgary.ca/handle/1880/108583

BACKGROUND: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are increasing concerns for First Nations peoples in Canada. Although hospital utilization for asthma and COPD among First Nations peoples has been increasing, the prevalence of asthma or wheezing is comparable to national averages.OBJECTIVES: A pilot study was conducted to determine the prevalence of impaired lung function in school-aged First Nations children.PATIENTS AND METHODS: A First Nations community in northern Alberta was selected to participate. Consent forms and a school health survey were completed by parents or guardians. Children with consent completed spirometry at school, and results were compared with predicted values.RESULTS: A total of 36 children participated (response rate 70.6%). Of these, 19.4% of parents reported that their child had received a physician diagnosis of asthma at some point in their life; only 28.6% had a parental report of still having asthma. Parents smoked in 73.1% of the children's homes. The mean ...