Health service use in indigenous Sami and non-indigenous youth in North Norway: A population based survey

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This is the first population based study exploring health service use and ethno-cultural factors in indigenous Sami and non-Sami youth in North Norway. The first aim of the present study was to compare the frequency of health service use between Sami adolescents and their non-indigenous peers. The second aim was to explore the relationships between health service use and ethno-cultural factors, such as ethnic context, Sami self-identification, perceived discrimination and Sami language competence. Finally, we wanted to explore the relationship between use of health services and emotional and behavioural problems.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>The Norwegian Arctic Adolescent Health Study was conducted among 10th graders (15-16 years old) in junior high schools in North Norway. The sample consisted of 4,449 adolescents, of whom 450 (10.1%) were indigenous Sami and 3,999 (89.9%) were non-Sami.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Sami and non-Sami youth used all health services with equal frequency. However, several ethno-cultural factors were found to influence health service use. Sami youth in more assimilated ethnic contexts used general practitioners more than non-Sami youth. Youth with Sami self-identification had a higher probability of using the school health service compared with other youth. Ethnic barriers to health service use were also identified. Sami speaking youth with a high degree of perceived discrimination had lower probability of using school health services than non-Sami speaking youth. Sami youth with conduct problems were less likely than non-Sami to use psychologist/psychiatrist. The present study demonstrated a relationship between health need and actual health service use.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Culture-specific factors influenced the help-seeking process in indigenous youth; some factors acted as barriers against health service use and other factors increased the probability of health service use.</p

Risk and protective factors associated with internalizing symptoms in Sami and non-Sami adolescents in Arctic Norway

This thesis examined common and culture-specific risk and protective factors for internalizing (anxiety and depression) symptoms in Sami and non-Sami adolescents. This is a cross-sectional study, and the data are from The Norwegian Arctic Adolescent Health Study which was conducted among 10th graders in junior high schools in Arctic Norway in 2003-2005. The sample consisted of 4,449 adolescents, of whom 450 (10 %) were indigenous Sami and 3,999 (90 %) were non-Sami. The findings from this thesis were: (1) There were no differences between Sami and non-Sami adolescents in internalizing symptoms; (2) Strong ethnic identity, ethnic discrimination and loss of native language were cultural risk factors associated with increasing internalizing symptoms; (3) In the family socialization context, there were mostly similarities, but also some cultural differences in the impact of family factors on internalizing symptoms; (4) Engaging in cultural activities and ethnic pride were identified as cultural protective factors associated with decreasing symptom level; (5) Gender differences appeared in both ethnic groups in symptom level and in risk and protective factors associated with symptoms; (6) General protective factors, like self-efficacy, may strengthen the impact of the cultural protective factors. Findings from this study indicate both similarities and differences between Sami and non-Sami youth, and point out that the unique experience of indigenous Sami youth is related to symptoms of anxiety and depression. The integration of cultural protective factors with the well-known general protective factors is important when focusing on mental health problems and development in adolescents

Health service use in indigenous Sami and non-indigenous youth in North Norway: a population based survey

Background: this is the first population based study exploring health service use and ethnocultural factors in indigenous Sami and non-Sami youth in North Norway. The first aim of the present study was to compare the frequency of health service use between Sami adolescents and their non-indigenous peers. The second aim was to explore the relationships between health service use and ethno-cultural factors, such as ethnic context, Sami self-identification, perceived discrimination and Sami language competence. Finally, we wanted to explore the relationship between use of health services and emotional and behavioural problems. Method: the Norwegian Arctic Adolescent Health Study was conducted among 10th graders (15-16 years old) in junior high schools in North Norway. The sample consisted of 4,449 adolescents, of whom 450 (10.1%) were indigenous Sami and 3,999 (89.9%) were non-Sami. Results: Sami and non-Sami youth used all health services with equal frequency. However, several ethno-cultural factors were found to influence health service use. Sami youth in more assimilated ethnic contexts used general practitioners more than non-Sami youth. Youth with Sami selfidentification had a higher probability of using the school health service compared with other youth. Ethnic barriers to health service use were also identified. Sami speaking youth with a high degree of perceived discrimination had lower probability of using school health services than non-Sami speaking youth. Sami youth with conduct problems were less likely than non-Sami to use psychologist/psychiatrist. The present study demonstrated a relationship between health need and actual health service use. Conclusion: culture-specific factors influenced the help-seeking process in indigenous youth; some factors acted as barriers against health service use and other factors increased the probability of health service use