An epidemiological survey of chlamydial & gonococcal infections in a Canadian Arctic community : determinants of sexually transmitted infections among remote Inuit populations ...

• Main Author: Steenbeek, Audrey Ann
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: University of British Columbia 2009
• Subjects: Arctic; Baffin; inuit
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0099852; https://doi.library.ubc.ca/10.14288/1.0099852

Research Problem Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) pose serious health problems for Canadian Inuit people. This is compounded by ineffective screening and disease prevention strategies. Programs will have little impact on reducing infection rates if they do not target accurate disease prevalence and key determinants of transmission. Methods A cross-sectional survey (Part A) was conducted among Inuit males and females (ages 15-65 years) in a Baffin community. Participants (n = 181; mean age = 29.6) were screened for chlamydia/gonorrhea and interviewed. The questionnaire, which followed the Theories of Reasoned Action and Planned Behaviour, was used to collect information on demographics, use of health services, sexual histories, STI and contraceptive knowledge, high-risk behaviours, perceived risk and barriers of condom use. A random sample (n = 100) was selected from Part A for the longitudinal cohort. Individuals were followed every two months post baseline for four follow-up visits. At each visit, ...