1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«This project sought to expand upon a previous study that identified oral health barriers and facilitators in an Anishnabeg community in northern Quebec, and examines the oral health attitudes, perceptions and experiences of children and youth in two Anishnabeg communities. The researchers specifically sought to learn how Anishnabeg children and youth experience and understand oral health through methods that promote» (p. 2)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
The study took place in two Anishnabeg communities: «The Algonquins of Barriere Lake and the Long Point First Nation are two of nine Anishnabeg communities in northern Quebec.» (p. 2) «In total, 12 adults in leadership positions were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling […]. All key informants were community members or those with prolonged engagement with the community through their work.» (p. 4) «In total, 27 children and youth participated in interviews.» (p. 5) «Participant observation sessions supplemented the interview data and allowed the researchers to engage informally with participants to gather rich, in-context information. […] Participant observation took place in school classrooms, during dental appointments with the dental hygienist and dentist, in the waiting rooms of the clinics, and during group activities.» (p. 5)

Instruments :
- Guide d’entretien
- Grille d’observation participante

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse de contenu

3. Résumé

The results of the study show that participants «promoted the oral health of family members and peers by reminding them to brush their teeth, and some had taught older family members how to brush properly.» (p. 8) «Oral health was a recognized community issue but not always prioritized by families. Children and youth recognized contributors to their oral health and demonstrated agency in oral health.» (p. 8) «Participants’ descriptions of oral health incorporated Minimadizuin, an Anishnabe conceptualization of health and wellbeing. Minimadizuin involves taking care of one’s mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects, and caring for one’s family and community. For children and youth, eating healthy foods and drinking water was a prominent way of promoting oral health, and they highlighted that tooth brushing alleviated the worries of potential toothaches. Children and youth encouraged others to take care of their oral health, and even monitored peers and family brushing their teeth.» (p. 8)