Factors that Influence the Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes among Aboriginals in Canada

Factors that Influence the Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes among Aboriginals in Canada by Olayinka E. Awoyemi M.A. Katholieke Universiteit, Belgium, 2010 M.SC. Universiteit Hasselt, Belgium, 2008 H.N. D. The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2000 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health Walden University January 2019 Abstract The focus of this study was on potential social determinants of health factors that influence the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the general population of Canada, with emphasis on the disproportion in rates of the disease between Aboriginal and nonAboriginal populations of Canada. This study also examined the risk factors that are peculiar to the general, Aboriginal, and non-Aboriginal population of Canada. A total number of 101,080 individuals who were 18 years and above provided data for this study. The data and information obtained from these participants were used to answer the major research questions regarding if there was any association between the social determinants of health and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations of Canada. Multiple logistic regression technique was the main statistical method adopted for this study. Results showed that smoking was peculiar to the prevalence of the disease in the Aboriginal population. It was also revealed that, while the same risk factors could be responsible for both Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals, the odds of having this disease was higher among Aboriginals in Canada. The results also indicated that risk factors such as sleep apnea, scoliosis, migraine, asthma, and osteoporosis to be significantly associated with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Canada. While scoliosis reduces the odds of type 2 diabetes in the non-Aboriginal population, it increased the odds in the Aboriginal population. The adverse and disproportionate impact of these risks factors on Aboriginals in Canada means governments at all levels in Canada and other stakeholders need to pay attention to the problem of smoking, sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle, lack of quality education, and income opportunities.The focus of this study was on potential social determinants of health factors that influence the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the general population of Canada, with emphasis on the disproportion in rates of the disease between Aboriginal and nonAboriginal populations of Canada. This study also examined the risk factors that are peculiar to the general, Aboriginal, and non-Aboriginal population of Canada. A total number of 101,080 individuals who were 18 years and above provided data for this study. The data and information obtained from these participants were used to answer the major research questions regarding if there was any association between the social determinants of health and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations of Canada. Multiple logistic regression technique was the main statistical method adopted for this study. Results showed that smoking was peculiar to the prevalence of the disease in the Aboriginal population. It was also revealed that, while the same risk factors could be responsible for both Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals, the odds of having this disease was higher among Aboriginals in Canada. The results also indicated that risk factors such as sleep apnea, scoliosis, migraine, asthma, and osteoporosis to be significantly associated with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Canada. While scoliosis reduces the odds of type 2 diabetes in the non-Aboriginal population, it increased the odds in the Aboriginal population. The adverse and disproportionate impact of these risks factors on Aboriginals in Canada means governments at all levels in Canada and other stakeholders need to pay attention to the problem of smoking, sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle, lack of quality education, and income opportunities. Factors that Influence the Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes among the Aboriginals in Canada by Olayinka E. Awoyemi M.A. Katholieke Universiteit, Belgium, 2010 M.SC. Universiteit Hasselt, Belgium, 2008 H.N. D. The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2000 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health Walden University January 2019 Dedication This research study is dedicated to every individual who has suffered any form or degree of racial discrimination. Victims of this wicked act should not surrender the pursuit of their goals or give up their dreams, but rather remain determined and focused. The only way to punish your abusers is to achieve success, which always makes them sad. Acknowledgments My highest appreciation goes to the Almighty God, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending of my faith. I cannot imagine what would have been of me without Him. He is everything to me, my refuge and strength, a very present help in the time of trouble. I am grateful to the Chair and member of my dissertation committee, Dr. Naoyo Mori and Xianbin Li respectively for their excellent advice, support, understanding and supervision in general. This study would not have been successful without the permission of the Research Data Center of the University of Manitoba to use the needed secondary data and the facility for this study. My appreciation to Dr. Evelyn Forget, the Academic Director of the center for her support and kind understanding. I am also thankful to Dr. Ian Clara, the Data Analyst at the center for his help and assistance during the data analysis stage of this study. I would love to thank my family and friends for their patient and understanding throughout this doctoral journey.