Sylvia S. Barton

Aboriginal Healing: Regaining Balance and Culture

This ethnographic study explored the question, How do urban-based First Nations peoples use healing traditions to address their health issues? The objectives were to examine how Aboriginal traditions addressed health issues and explore the link between such traditions and holism in nursing practice. Data collection consisted of individual interviews, participant observations, and field notes. Three major categories that emerged from the data analysis were: following a cultural path, gaining balance, and sharing in the circle of life. The global theme of healing holistically included following a cultural path by regaining culture through the use of healing traditions; gaining balance in the four realms of spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health; and sharing in the circle of life by cultural interactions between Aboriginal peoples and non-Aboriginal health professionals. Implications for practice include incorporating the concepts of balance, holism, and cultural healing into the health care services for diverse Aboriginal peoples.

Health And Quality Of Life Of Aboriginal Residential School Survivors, Bella Coola Valley, 2001

The purpose of this study was to make comparisons between Aboriginal residential school survivors’ perceptions of health status and overall quality of life, and Aboriginal non-residential school attendees, as well as between non-Aboriginals. Data were obtained from thirty-three questions derived from the 2001 Determinants of Health and Quality of Life Survey, based on a sample of 687 residents from the Bella Coola Valley area of British Columbia, Canada. A retrospective review of local Medical Clinic charts enabled 47 Aboriginal residential school survivors to be identified from the survey and matched, based on age and gender, with Aboriginal non-residential school attendees to form a cohort (n = 60), as well as with non-Aboriginals (n = 94). A series of descriptive, univariate, and Pearson Chi-square analyses were used to compare data of health status and quality of life outcome measures, physician visits, and disease prevalence rates between groups. The findings suggest that Aboriginal residential school survivors and Aboriginal non-residential school attendees both experience poorer health and quality of life compared to non-Aboriginals, as well as higher rates of diabetes. Surprisingly, also found was evidence contrary to the received view of the devastation of the residential school experience. The effects of residential school continuing to influence second, third, and fourth generations in relation to Aboriginal health and quality of life is complex, necessitating further inquiry.

Linking Aboriginal Healing Traditions to Holistic Nursing Practice

With a phenomenal expected growth in the Canadian Aboriginal population and the fact that less than 1% of Canadian health professionals are of Aboriginal ancestry, there is an increased need for culturally competent health professionals. This article explains diverse healing traditions and links those traditions to holistic nursing practice. Respect for culturally sensitive care is necessary for understanding Aboriginal peoples in different contexts. We suggest that nursing practice, which takes into consideration the understanding of Aboriginal healing traditions, strengthens the intention of nurses to be holistic. Holism in nursing allows the profession to be on the fore-front of understanding Aboriginal healing traditions; the linking of holistic nursing practice with Aboriginal healing traditions offers a foundation on which to build culturally competent care.

Access to Health Care: Social Determinants of Preventive Cancer Screening Use in Northern British Columbia

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which social factors are influential in determining women’s access to cancer screening services in Prince George, British Columbia. Specifically, this study evaluated the association of age, income, education, work status, disability, marital status, and immigrant status with previous use of screening mammography and Pap tests. Data was obtained from the 1994 National Population Health Survey, which contains a sample of 416 women from the Prince George area. A series of logistic regression analyses were used to distinguish ever versus never been screened as well as recency of previous screening. Participation rates in screening mammography in Prince George are comparatively high; however, no association was found between social factors and previous mammography use. This suggests women in Prince George are participating in mammography services regardless of social background. Participation rates in Pap test screening in Prince George are high and are similar to provincial averages; however, while a large percentage of women have been screened, this percentage varies across social groups. Immigrant women, single women, and women with less education are over represented among women who have never had a Pap test. In addition, older women are less likely to obtain a recent Pap test when compared to younger women. This study suggests that certain groups of women in northern British Columbia experience low participation in health services, resulting in a higher risk for poor health and a poor quality of life.

A Web of Disheartenment With Hope on the Horizon: Intimate Partner Violence in Rural and Northern Communities

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has become a worldwide epidemic, yet little is known about the experiences of women survivors living in rural and Northern Canadian communities. Existing statistics suggest that women living in rural areas of the Canadian Prairie Provinces and Northwest Territories (NWT) are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing IPV. To better understand the experiences of IPV in these regions, qualitative interviews were conducted with service providers, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Victims Services, Shelter Services, counselors, and others (e.g., physicians). In total, 122 participants were interviewed. These interviews were analyzed using a grounded theory approach where the data/results were transformed into a pictorial matrix that documents the struggles that service providers endure. The matrix/results highlight how social issues, such as isolation and poverty, contribute to social oppressions, such as lack of resources, transportation, and/or services. As service providers struggle against these forces, they begin to develop feelings of disheartenment. Yet, they continue to fight because there are opposing forces, such as Emergency Intervention Orders, police transportation, and Victim Services, that demonstrate how societal response is improving the lives and increasing safety in rural and Northern communities. Ultimately, the results suggest that to reduce the incidences of IPV, we must go beyond the violent acts and deal with the social contexts in which IPV resides.

Exploring health services accessibility by indigenous women in Asia and identifying actions to improve it: a scoping review

ABSTRACT Objectives: The aim of this scoping review was to uncover and summarize what is known in the literature about the experiences of Indigenous women in Asia regarding access to health services. Design: The study was informed by the scoping review methodology proposed by Arksey and O’Malley [2005. “Scoping Studies: Towards a Methodological Framework.” International Journal of Social Research Methodology 8 (1): 19–32. doi:10.1080/1364557032000119616]. A comprehensive search of the databases for peer-reviewed studies and grey literature was conducted between January 2000 and December 2016. The data of selected papers and abstracts were analysed by three independent researchers through a protocol of data charting, descriptive numerical summary, and thematic analysis. Results: Sixteen articles and two abstracts met the inclusion criteria for this scoping review. These 18 peer-reviewed documents consisted of eight qualitative studies, seven quantitative studies, and three mixed-method studies, which included the peer-reviewed poster and oral presentation abstracts from international conferences. The findings were sorted and grouped under the following themes: health care access for Indigenous women in Asia, facilitators to accessing healthcare services, barriers to accessing healthcare services, and cultural contexts impacting health and access. Conclusion: There is limited information about the experiences, facilitators, barriers, and cultural contexts faced by Indigenous women in Asia related to health services accessibility, and even less information related to improving health services accessibility and health outcomes. This scoping review in particular highlights the dearth of literature relating to Indigenous womens postpartum health and access to postnatal supports and services. Generally, it indicates that Indigenous women in Asia are more vulnerable to poor health in comparison to non-Indigenous women, and continue to face challenges and barriers in accessing quality and equitable health services. The barriers identified in this review are useful in explaining why inequities in health and access to health care for Indigenous women living in Asia continue to exist. Recommendations for future research directions are described.