Aboriginal people of Canada were deeply affected when Europeans colonized their land. Not only did they lose their land but there was a significant negative impact to their health care system. More specifically women’s health was greatly impacted, there was a decrease in feminine power, knowledge and respect. Women in the indigenous community are known have great influence and knowledge. Indigenous women have experienced great trauma in forms of anxiety, depression, suicide, violence, drug and alcohol consumption, which seem to be passed down from generation to generation (Sharma, et al., 2016).
The pitfalls of indigenous women’s health are especially prevalent in prenatal and maternal care. “Indigenous women in Canada have a two times higher risk of maternal mortality in comparison to the general Canadian population” (Sharma, et al., 2016). Many issues surrounding pregnancy are also prevalent amongst Canadian Aboriginal women. Many of these women experience stillbirths, fetal demise, and poor fetal birth weights.
A research paper: “Canadian Indigenous Women’s Perspectives of Maternal Health and Health Care Services: A Systematic Review” had noted statistics across Canada proving poor maternal care amongst Aboriginal women:
· In 2006-2007, Northwest Territories had the greatest proportion of women not receiving prenatal care (27%)
· Nunavut had the greatest proportion of late prenatal care (after the first trimester) (17.3%)
· In 2011, Nunavut had Canada’s highest infant mortality rate, more than 3 times the next highest rate.
· In 2004, NU reported the highest teenage pregnancy rate in the country where 24% of live births were to mothers under the age of 19 years, compared to the national average of 5%, teenage pregnancy is associated with low birth weight and prematurity among newborns.
· In 2004, the preterm births rate in Nunavut was 12% compared with 8% in other regions in Canada.
There are many programs across Canada that support the prenatal care of indigenous women. One that stood out to me was the Aboriginal Prenatal Wellness Program (APWP) created in Alberta, Canada. “It represents a culturally safe approach to prenatal care. By understanding the history of colonization and residential schools and how this history has contributed to health disparities, a multidisciplinary team provides culturally competent and integrated prenatal care to Aboriginal women and their families” (Lallo, 2014).
Resources
Lallo, S. D. (2014). Prenatal Care Through the Eyes of Canadian Aboriginal Women. Nursing for Womens Health, 18(1), 38–46. doi: 10.1111/1751-486x.12092
Sharma, S., Kolahdooz, F., Launier, K., Nader, F., Yi, K. J., Baker, P., … Vallianatos, H. (2016). Canadian Indigenous Womens Perspectives of Maternal Health and Health Care Services: A Systematic Review. Diversity & Equality in Health and Care, 13(5). doi: 10.21767/2049-5471.100073
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