190793 Predictors of self-reported previous testing for Helicobacter pylori infection in a remote Arctic community in Canada

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Michael J. Arget, BSc, MPH (cand) , School of Public Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Karyn K. Heavner, PhD, MSPH , Populi Health Institute, Wayne, PA
Karen J. Goodman, PhD , Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Rachel Munday, RN, RM, MSc , Susie Husky Health Centre, Aklavik, NT, Canada
Justin Cheung, MD , Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Janis D. Huntington, BSc, MSc (cand) , School of Public Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Larissa Shamseer, BSc, MSc (cand) , School of Public Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Katie Tweedie, BA , School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
H.pylori infection and its link to stomach cancer are developing health concerns for members of northern communities and their health care providers. Aklavik, Northwest Territories, a remote community in Canada's Arctic (population~=600), is accessible only by air, and seasonally by ice road or boat.

The Aklavik H.pylori project is a multi-phase community driven investigation of health risks posed by H.pylori infection. Phase 1, which commenced in November 2007 and is ongoing, involves interviewer-administered surveys to collect epidemiological/clinical information and 13C-urea breath testing for H.pylori infection (56% prevalence). Other phases involve upper endoscopic examination, treatment, health care policy development, and knowledge transfer to the community.

This analysis examines associations of self-reported H.pylori infection testing history and self-reported family history of H.pylori infection and stomach cancer using clinical survey data. Participants who completed the clinical survey (November 2007-February 2008) and were >=18 years old were included.

The majority (58%) of the 235 participants were female. The mean/median age was 43. Only 44 (19%) participants reported having been previously tested for H.pylori, while 21% and 28% indicated family histories of H.pylori infection and stomach cancer, respectively. Participants who reported a family history of H.pylori infection (48% versus 11%) or stomach cancer (30% versus 16%) were more likely to have been previously tested than those without a family history.

The increased frequency of self-report history of H.pylori testing among those with a family history of H.pylori infection or stomach cancer is consistent with the community concern about H. pylori infection.

Learning Objectives:
This session enables participants to: 1) To describe the prevalence of H.pylori and indicators of previous H.pylori infection testing in this remote rural aboriginal community; 2)To understand some of the unique health challenges faced by members in this remote Arctic community; and 3) To recognize the importance of working with communities to identify health concerns to be investigated.

Keywords: Native and Indigenous Populations, Community Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been part of the research team for the Aklavik Helicobacter pylori project and am able to present a specific aspect of the initial results.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Late Breakers Epidemiology Poster Session II
See more of: Epidemiology