Engaging Mi'kmaq Communities in Asthma Research: A Community-Driven Assessment of the Needs, Challenges, and Opportunities Surrounding Asthma Support in Unama'ki (Cape Breton), Nova Scotia

Abstract

Asthma is the second most common chronic condition among Aboriginal youth. This three-phase study aims to understand the psycho-social barriers facing asthmatic Mi’kmaq youth and their parents/caregivers living in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and facilitate health promoting behaviours at the community-level. A community-based participatory research approach was undertaken to: 1) identify the support needs/intervention preferences of asthmatic Mi’kmaq youth and their parents/caregivers; 2) design and pilot test a culturally appropriate support-education intervention that meets these preferences; and 3) identify the implications of the findings for asthma programs, policies, and practices and determine dissemination strategies. The findings suggest that there is a lack of community-level asthma support available to Mi’kmaq families managing the condition despite a strong desire for these services. This study offers three community-driven recommendations to increase available support: improve school-based asthma policy, develop asthma expertise within each community health center, and implement an annual, culturally appropriate asthma camp.