Background: People of African descent living in Britain and the United States have higher rates of morbidity from chronic disease than among the general population. We investigated whether the same applied to people of African descent living in a Canadian province. Methods: We used administrative data to calculate 10-year cumulative incidence rate ratios for the…
Black women in Canada have not been the focus of intensive mental health research, even though data suggests they may be vulnerable to mental health disparities. The present study utilizes in-depth qualitative methods to explore the psychosocial experience of Black women in Montreal. Twelve women participated in semi-structured interviews that aimed to elicit principal psychosocial…
The current study examines self-rated health status and functional health differences between first-generation immigrant and Canadian-born (CB) persons who share the same ethnocultural origin, and the extent to which such differences reflect social structural and health-related behavioural contexts. Multivariate analyses of data from the 2000/2001 Canadian Community Health Survey indicate that first-generation immigrants of Black…
Background: The fractional concentration of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) is a useful indicator of airway inflammation in children and adults with asthma. Methods: We determined the range of FENO concentrations and the factors affecting it in a large sample of healthy school children attending grades 4 through 6, in Windsor, ON, Canada. Results: FENO was…
African and Caribbean communities in Canada and other developed countries are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. This qualitative study of African and Caribbean communities in Toronto sought to understand HIV-related stigma, discrimination, denial and fear, and the effects of multiple intersecting factors that influence responses to the disease, prevention practices and access to treatment and support…
Objectives: CYP2A6 is the main enzyme involved in nicotine metabolism in humans. We have identified a novel allele, CYP2A6*23 (2161C>T, R203C), in individuals of Black-African descent and investigated its impact on enzyme activity and association with smoking status. Methods: Wild-type and variant enzymes containing amino acid changes R203C (CYP2A6*23), R203S (CYP2A6*16) and V365M (CYP2A6*17) were…
Background: Research into health and health-care seeking behaviour amongst immigrant populations suggests that culturally-based behaviours change over time towards those prevalent in the host culture. Such acculturation of immigrant groups occurs as part of the interaction of immigrants with mainstream culture. This study examined the acculturation of Ghanaian immigrants in Greater Toronto Area (Canada) focusing…
Background: Diabetes is a common chronic disease, which results in significant morbidity and mortality. Although ethnic variations in disease prevalence are known, variations in the utilization of physician services for the disease (particularly in publicly funded health care systems) are uncertain. Methods: Self-reported ethnicity was determined from two population health surveys in Ontario, Canada. These…
Background: Available information on the prevalence and management of hypertension in the Canadian population dates back to 1986–1992 and probably does not reflect the current status of this major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We sought to evaluate the current prevalence and management of hypertension among adults in the province of Ontario. Methods: Potential respondents…
