High Adherence to COVID-19 Public Health Preventive Measures in Indigenous Communities in the Canadian Northwest Territories

Rachel Harris, Fariba Kolahdooz, Afsaneh Omidimorad, Adrian Wagg, Carolyn Gotay, Debbie DeLancey, Kami Kandola, André Corriveau, Sami Pirkola, Arja Rautio, Stephanie Irlbacher-Fox, Sangita Sharma

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

Abstract

The aim of this project is to explore perceptions towards and adherence to COVID-19 public health preventive measures in Indigenous communities within Northwest Territories, Canada. Utilizing a cross-sectional study design the project took place within ten Northwest Territories communities between 1st April and 30th November 2021. Convenience sampling methods were utilized and adhered to public health restrictions. Self-identifying Indigenous adults (≥ 18 years old) were invited to complete a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Participants (n = 287; 33.1% men, 66.6% women) had a mean age of 41.6 years (SD ± 13.5). Preventive measures were practiced by 98.6% of participants. Most participants reported often or always practicing three measures: avoiding gatherings (67.2%), avoiding usual greetings (63.3%), and limiting contact with high-risk individuals (71.4%). Most participants reported rarely/never practicing self-isolation (67.5%) and self-quarantining (76.5%) measures. Significant associations existed between the August 2021 COVID-19 outbreak and self-quarantining (p = 0.0023), self-isolating (p = 0.0023), and going onto the land (p = 0.0001). Participants found masking and travel restrictions challenging. Sadness and loneliness resulted from limited access to Elders. Kinship and community safety were important to Indigenous community members and influenced COVID-19 preventive measure utilization. The findings can inform culturally specific COVID-19 public health policy development.

Original languageEnglish
Number of pages9
JournalJOURNAL OF COMMUNITY HEALTH
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 2024
Publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Funding

The COVID-19 Impact Project (FRN 172676, FRN 177783) was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The CITF Project (2122-HQ-000062) was funded by Public Health Agency of Canada.

FundersFunder number
Public Health Agency of Canada
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
CITF2122-HQ-000062

    Keywords

    • Community safety
    • Masking
    • Preventive measures
    • Public Health

    Publication forum classification

    • Publication forum level 1

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Health(social science)
    • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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