1. Objectifs

Intentions :
The goal of this research «was to explore the key factors influencing Indigenous health through an investigation of Inuit health in Nunavik.» (p. ii)

Questions/Hypothèses :
«The primary research question of this project was, what are the key factors influencing Indigenous health?» (p. 9)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
L’étude est basée sur des rencontres avec neuf acteurs clés du secteur de la santé (professionnels de la santé, infirmières, personnel administratif d’établissements de santé) dans le Nunavik. L’auteure a également utilisé les données de l’Enquête de santé auprès des Inuits du Nunavik (2004) réalisée par l’Institut national de santé publique du Québec.

Instruments :
- Guide d’entretien semi-directif
- Questionnaire

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse de contenu
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

«Qualitative results identified a number of key social, cultural, environmental, and individual determinants of health in the region. Analysis of the quantitative data identified significant associations between variables such as age, physical activity, and peacefulness of the community and self-rated health. […] The analysis demonstrates that our understanding of health in an Indigenous context has to expand to include determinants beyond physical health.» (p. ii) One of the key determinants of Indigenous population is related to family. Results show that an «important aspect of identity that was raised, was having a sense of purpose, or knowing your role in society and in the family. Participants identified having a ''role'' as particularly important to health, and more specifically, the importance of family roles, whether it is as a grandmother, mother, child and that knowing your role in the family is essential to one’s sense of self.» (p. 92) In fact, «''[k]nowing your role'' was one of the key factors that participants emphasized as important to developing a healthy sense of self. For instance, as it has become increasingly more difficult to live off the land, men’s roles as provider of the family have diminished and women have moved into wage-labour positions, changing the family dynamic and leading men to question their roles or identity.» (p. 114)