Associations of Cultural Characteristics with Sedentary Behaviour and Screen Time Among Indigenous Adults in Saskatchewan.

BACKGROUND: Indigenous Peoples: First Nations, Métis and Inuit, have experienced significant disruptions of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health and well-being through centuries of ongoing colonization and assimilation. Consequently, breakdown of cultural connections, increasingly sedentary lifestyles and high levels of screen time contribute to health inequity experiences. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine associations of cultural connectedness with sedentary behaviour and the influence of relocation from home communities for Indigenous Peoples in Saskatchewan. METHODS: Cultural connectedness, sedentary and screen time behaviour were evaluated through online questionnaires among 106 Indigenous adults. Within Indigenous identities, 2 × 2 factorial ANOVA compared cultural connectedness scores with sedentary behaviour and traditional activity participation by relocation from home communities. RESULTS: Among First Nations and specifically Cree/Nehiyawak who relocated from home communities, positive associations of cultural connectedness scores with sedentary behaviour and screen time were identified, with no associations identified among those not relocating. Among Métis who did not relocate, greater ethnic identity, identity, spirituality and cultural connectedness (57.8 ± 5.36 vs. 81.25 ± 16.8; p = 0.02) scores were reported among those reporting 5 or more hours of continuous sitting. CONCLUSIONS: Cultural connectedness associations with sedentary behaviour depend on relocation from home communities and differ between First Nations and Métis. Understanding associations of sedentary behaviour specific to First Nations and Métis populations may enable appropriate strategies to improve health outcomes.

The value of admissions characteristics for predicting the practice location of University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine graduates.

Background: The physician workforce in Saskatchewan depends upon the retention of locally trained physicians. Characteristics collected at the time of medical school application may predict future practice location, but these associations have not been explored. Methods: We identified the current practice location of University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine graduates who matriculated between 2000 and 2013 and extracted data from their admission applications including gender, age, high school, previous university, and current location at the time of application. We then conducted univariate and multivariate analyses to evaluate associations between these characteristics and rural- and Saskatchewan-based practice. Results: We identified the current practice location of 1,001 (98.9%) of the graduates of the included cohorts. Attending a Saskatchewan high school (p < 0.001), a high school in a smaller population center (p < 0.01), and a Saskatchewan university (p < 0.001) were predictive of Saskatchewan-based practice. Attending a high school outside of Saskatchewan (p < 0.05), a high school in a smaller population center (p < 0.001), and living in a small population centre at the time of application (p < 0.05) were predictive of rural-based practice within or outside of Saskatchewan. Conclusion: Demographic characteristics collected at time of medical school application are associated with future Saskatchewan- and rural-based practice. These findings will guide admissions policies in Saskatchewan and may inform admission practices of other medical schools.

Contexte: La main-d'œuvre médicale en Saskatchewan dépend de la rétention des médecins formés dans la province. Les informations recueillies au moment de la demande d'admission à la faculté de médecine peuvent permettre de prédire le lieu de pratique futur, mais ces liens n'ont pas été explorés. Méthodes: Nous avons trouvé le lieu de pratique actuel des diplômés de la faculté de médecine de l'Université de la Saskatchewan qui se sont inscrits entre 2000 et 2013 et avons extrait de leurs demandes d'admission les données concernant le sexe, l'âge, l'école secondaire et l'université précédente fréquentées, et le lieu de résidence au moment de la demande. Nous avons ensuite effectué des analyses univariées et multivariées pour évaluer les liens entre ces éléments et la pratique en milieu rural et en Saskatchewan. Résultats: Nous avons trouvé le lieu de pratique actuel de 1001 (98,9 %) des diplômés des cohortes incluses. La fréquentation d'une école secondaire de la Saskatchewan (p<0,001), d'une école secondaire dans une petite agglomération (p<0,01) et d'une université de la Saskatchewan (p<0,001) étaient des facteurs prédictifs de la pratique en Saskatchewan. La fréquentation d'une école secondaire à l'extérieur de la Saskatchewan (p < 0,05), d'une école secondaire dans une petite agglomération (p < 0,001) et le fait de vivre dans une petite agglomération au moment de la demande d'admission (p < 0,05) étaient des facteurs prédictifs d'une pratique en milieu rural à l'intérieur ou à l'extérieur de la Saskatchewan. Conclusion: Les caractéristiques démographiques recueillies au moment de la demande d'admission à la faculté de médecine sont corrélées à la pratique future en Saskatchewan et en milieu rural. Ces résultats guideront les politiques d'admission en Saskatchewan et pourraient éclairer les pratiques d'admission d'autres facultés de médecine.

Social determinants associated with physical activity among Indigenous adults at the University of Saskatchewan.

Colonization impacts Indigenous Peoples' way of life, culture, language, community structure and social networks. Links between social determinants of health and physical activity (PA) among Indigenous Peoples in Saskatchewan, with 16% Indigenous residents, are unclear. This cross-sectional study, guided by Indigenous Community Advisors, compared moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), traditional Indigenous PA and musculoskeletal PA with social determinants of Indigenous (n = 124), including First Nations (n = 80, including 57 Cree/Nehiyawak) and Métis (n = 41), adults in Saskatchewan. Participants completed Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time PA, Social Support Index and traditional Indigenous PA participation questionnaires. Regression associated positive perception of social support with MVPA (R = 0.306, p = 0.02), while residential school experiences (R = 0.338, p = 0.02) and community support (R = 0.412, p = 0.01) were associated with traditional Indigenous PA participation. Among Métis, discrimination experiences were associated with traditional Indigenous PA participation (R = 0.459, p = 0.01). Traditional Indigenous PA participation was associated with community support among First Nations (R = 0.263, p = 0.04), and also foster care placement (R = 0.480, p = 0.01) for Cree/Nehiyawak First Nations specifically. Among Cree/Nehiyawak, family support (R = 0.354, p = 0.04), discrimination experiences (R = 0.531, p = 0.01) and positive perceptions of support (R = 0.610, p = 0.003) were associated with musculoskeletal PA. Greater community, family and perceived social support, and experiences of discrimination, residential school and foster care are associated with more PA for Indigenous Peoples. Novelty: Positive support perceptions predict physical activity among Indigenous Peoples. Family support, discrimination experiences and positive support perceptions predict physical activity for Cree/Nehiyawak First Nations. Traditional physical activity was predicted by residential school experiences and community support (Indigenous Peoples), discrimination experiences (Métis), community support (First Nations), and foster care experiences (Cree/Nehiyawak).

Conducting a synchronous virtual multiple mini-interview using Webex for medical school admissions.

COVID-19 pandemic restrictions abruptly changed the way interviews for medical school admissions have been conducted. This study is unique as it highlights the first successful virtual synchronous multiple mini interview (MMI) in Canada. Our low technical incident rate, troubleshooting strategies and approach may reassure other medical schools considering conducting a virtual MMI. Success was achieved with collaboration, a strong organizational and communication strategy, learning along the way and a priori contingency plans. Virtual interviewing in academic medicine is likely here to stay, and future work to highlight the impact on applicants will help to build on the diversity mission in undergraduate medicine admissions.

Les restrictions liées à la pandémie de la COVID-19 ont brusquement changé la façon de mener les entrevues dans les processus d'admission aux programmes de doctorat en médecine. Notre étude est unique dans la mesure où elle présente la réussite, pour la première fois au Canada, d'une mini-entrevue multiple (MMI) en mode virtuel synchrone. Notre faible taux d'incidents techniques, nos stratégies de dépannage et notre approche peuvent rassurer les facultés de médecine qui envisagent d'effectuer des MEM virtuelles. Ce succès a été obtenu grâce à la collaboration, à une solide stratégie d'organisation et de communication, à l'apprentissage en cours de route et à la préparation de plans d'urgence. L'entrevue virtuelle n'est pas près de disparaître des programmes de doctorat en médecine, et les travaux futurs visant à mettre en évidence son impact sur les candidats contribueront à renforcer la promotion de la diversité dans le processus d'admission.

Associations of physical fitness and physical activity with sleep among middle-aged women.

BACKGROUND: Sleep is an important component of health. Sleep disturbances increase in women as they enter menopause. Physical activity has been associated with improved sleep among older populations. The purpose of this study was to determine if physical activity and/or physical fitness are associated with sleep quantity and quality in middle-aged women. METHODS: This study recruited 114 healthy women, aged 30-55 (43±8 y) from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, from 2015-2019. Sleep quantity and quality were evaluated. Participants were classified on their aerobic fitness, based on estimated peak aerobic capacity, as high or low grip strength and, as active or inactive. RESULTS: The high aerobic fitness group had a greater mean sleep duration of 7.04±1.02 h compared to the low fit group 6.61±1.00 h after adjusting for age, Body Mass Index, waist circumference and menstrual status (P=0.01). The percentage of high aerobic fitness women who felt rested was greater than low aerobic fitness women (67±6% vs. 45±7%, P=0.03), after adjusting for age, Body Mass Index, waist circumference and menstrual status. Our study found a significant difference between women with higher aerobic fitness levels getting more sleep each night and feeling more rested. CONCLUSIONS: The continued examination of physical fitness and its relationship to sleep holds importance for women's health.

A Systematic Review of Musculoskeletal Fitness Among Indigenous Populations in North America and Circumpolar Inuit Populations.

BACKGROUND: North American indigenous populations experience higher rates of obesity and chronic disease compared with nonindigenous populations. Improvements in musculoskeletal fitness can mitigate negative health outcomes, but is not well understood among indigenous populations. This review examines musculoskeletal fitness measures among North American indigenous populations. METHODS: A total of 1632 citations were evaluated and 18 studies were included. RESULTS: Comparisons of musculoskeletal fitness measures between North American indigenous men and boys and women and girls were generally not reported. The greatest left and right combined maximal grip strength and maximal leg strength among Inuit boys and men and girls and women were observed among 20-29 years age group. Maximal combined right and left grip strength declined from 1970 to 1990, by an average of 15% among adults and 10% among youth. Maximal leg extension among Inuit has declined even further, averaging 38% among adults and 27% among youth from 1970 to 1990. Inuit men demonstrate greater grip strength and lower leg strength than Russian indigenous men, whereas Inuit women demonstrate greater leg strength. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed to better understand physical fitness among indigenous peoples and the potential for improving health and reducing chronic disease risk for indigenous peoples through physical fitness.

Cultural connectedness as a determinant of physical activity among Indigenous adults in Saskatchewan.

Cultural connectedness has been associated with increased self-esteem and mental health among Indigenous Peoples. Physical activity is an important contributor to health, although the importance of culture as a determinant of physical activity for Indigenous Peoples in Canada is unclear. The purpose of this study is to evaluate differences in cultural connectedness between Indigenous adults in Canada achieving high and low physical activity levels. Questionnaires evaluated cultural connectedness and physical activity. Indigenous adults were classified into high and low physical activity groups at the specific group mean and as meeting or not meeting musculoskeletal activity guidelines of twice per week. First Nations and specifically Cree/Nehiyaw First Nations adults who were more physically active reported greater identity, spirituality, traditions, exploration, commitment, affirmation/belonging, and overall cultural connectedness. Cultural connectedness elements of commitment, exploration, identity, affirmation/belonging, traditions, spirituality, and overall cultural connectedness were not different between high and low physical activity Métis adults. Musculoskeletal activity was not associated with any elements of cultural connectedness among any Indigenous identity. Cultural connectedness is a protective factor for physical activity among First Nations and Cree/Nehiyaw First Nations adults, but not among Métis adults in Canada. Novelty Musculoskeletal activity was not associated with cultural connectedness. Cultural connectedness is a protective factor of physical activity for First Nations adults. Moving away from one's home community was associated with lower cultural connectedness for Indigenous Peoples.