Portrait démographique des grossesses en milieu défavorisé

Des compilations spéciales réalisées notamment à partir des données de l’Enquête sur la fécondité menée au Canada en 1984 ont permis d’évaluer l’incidence de la pauvreté chez les femmes enceintes canadiennes et québécoises, et de tracer un profil descriptif des femmes enceintes à faible revenu. Les résultats sont commentés sous trois angles : le niveau de scolarité, la situation matrimoniale et la fécondité.Special tabulations, based in particular on the data obtained from the Canadian fertility survey of 1984, have made possible an analysis of the extent of poverty among Canadian pregnant women, and of the demographic profile of low income pregnant women. Results are presented according to three dimensions: educational level, marital status, and fertility.Compilaciones especiales realizadas a partir de los datos de la Encuesta sobre la fecundidad hecha en Canadá en 1984 han permitido evaluar la incidencia de la pobreza en las mujeres canadienses y quebequenses embarazadas y trazar un perfil descriptivo de las mujeres embarazadas de poco recurso. Los resultados están comentados bajo 3 angulos: el nivel de escolaridad, la situación matrimonial y la fecundidad

Disparités régionales dans la propension des Canadiennes à vivre en famille recomposée

Cette recherche situe l'importance des familles recomposées dans quatre régions canadiennes (Atlantique, Québec, Ontario et Ouest) à partir des données de deux enquêtes rétrospectives sur la famille menées en 1984 et en 1990. La première partie de l'analyse fournit une estimation de l'ampleur du phénomène dans les quatre régions retenues, au moment où les deux enquêtes ont été réalisées. La seconde partie examine dans quelle mesure les modalités d'entrée dans le premier épisode en famille recomposée, vécu par les répondantes rejointes en 1990, diffèrent d'une région à l'autre, et de quelle façon la propension des femmes à connaître cette expérience s'est modifiée au fil des générations; elle fournit également des informations sur la durée et le type d'issue de ces épisodes familiaux. Plus globalement, l'analyse longitudinale des recompositions familiales permet de dégager les grands traits des modèles de constitution familiale existants dans les quatre régions étudiées et d'esquisser l'évolution attendue de ce type de famille.This study examines the relative distribution of step-families across four Canadian regions (Atlantic Provinces, Québec, Ontario and the West), using data from two retrospective surveys on the family conducted in 1984 and 1990. The first part of the analysis measures the propensity of women to live in step-families in the four regions at the time of the two surveys. Based upon the 1990 survey, the second part examines the extent to which the methods of forming a step-family differ from one region to another, and the manner in which the propensities of women to experience this situation for the first time has changed over generations; it also provides information on the length and the result of these family episodes. More generally, the longitudinal analysis of family recomposition enables one to identify the major trends in family composition across the four regions studied, and to sketch the expected evolution of step-families in these regions

Poster Introductions II--Children’s Health Prior to School Entry and Reading Skills in the First Year of Primary School: Identifying Protective Factors

Background: Reading skills at school entry are one of the main determinants of future academic performance.1 Therefore, less than optimal health during the first years of life can affect the capacity for learning,2 which in turn can have an impact on health and social adjustment throughout life. The main goal of this analysis was to examine the impact of young children’s health trajectories on their reading skills in the first year of primary school (Grade 1), as assessed by their teachers. Methods: The analysis was based on data collected annually during the first eight years of the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (QLSCD 1998-2010). The target population included all children (singleton births, excluding premature) born to mothers in 1997-1998 residing in Québec, Canada. A regression analysis was conducted to examine the impact of health trajectories from birth to school entry on reading skills in Grade 1. Interactions was tested to ascertain to what degree stimulation activities in the pre-school period such as family reading habits, the mother’s verbal and emotional skills, and daycare attendance can contribute to reducing inequalities in reading skills between children with less than optimal health and their peers. Findings: The results revealed that less than optimal health, particularly in early childhood, was associated with lower reading skills in the first year of primary school. Therefore, certain health problems in young children may affect their capacity to learn well before formal education in reading has begun at school. However, the significant association with health trajectories decreased when the mother’s educational level entered into the model, the latter being revealed as one of the variables with the strongest association with children’s reading performance. All things being equal, higher verbal and emotional skills in the mother as assessed by the interviewer when the children were very young seemed to be a protective factor in children who were more vulnerable in terms of their health status. Research and policy implications: Given the importance of reading skills for success in school and future social adjustment, it will be important to conduct further analyses in order to gain a better understanding of protective factors in children at higher risk because of health problems or the low educational level of the parents. Activates designed to improve parenting skills and/or stimulate interest in reading may contribute to fostering learning skills in reading in the first year of primary school in the most vulnerable populations. 1. DUNCAN, G. J., C. J. DOWSETT, A. CLAESSENS, K. MAGNUSON, A. HUSTON, P. KLEBANOV, L. PAGANI, L. FEINSTEIN, M. ENGEL, J. BROOKS-GUNN, H.R. SEXTON, K. DUCKWORTH, & C. JAPEL (2007). “School readiness and later achievement,” Developmental Psychology, vol. 43, no. 6, p. 1426-1446. 2. DESROSIERS H., and A. DUCHARME (2008). Poverty, Child Health, and Cognitive Development at Age 6: Some results from the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (QLSCD, Canada), poster presented at the 20th Biennial ISSBD Meeting, Wurzburg (Germany), July 15, 2009

L’acquisition du vocabulaire chez les jeunes enfants au Québec : le rôle de l’environnement familial et économique

Cette étude s’intéresse aux facteurs associés à l’acquisition du vocabulaire réceptif des enfants d’âge préscolaire en examinant plus spécifiquement la relation entre diverses caractéristiques de l’environnement familial et économique dans lequel les enfants grandissent. Les analyses de cette étude reposent sur les données de l’Étude longitudinale du développement des enfants du Québec (ÉLDEQ), dont 1 782 enfants âgés d’environ 3 1/2 ans ont répondu à l’Échelle de vocabulaire en images Peabody (ÉVIP). Cette étude met d’abord en évidence le rôle de la précarité économique et des activités de stimulation des parents sur l’acquisition du vocabulaire réceptif chez les jeunes enfants. Elle fait également ressortir l’importance des données longitudinales prospectives pour mieux cerner ce qui, dans l’environnement familial et économique des enfants, peut contribuer à favoriser le développement des habiletés cognitives des enfants.This study addresses the factors associated with receptive vocabulary acquisition in children of preschool age. It specifically examines the link between various characteristics of the family and the economic environment in which children are growing up. The analyses in this study are based on data from the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (QLSCD), in which 1 782 children approximately 3½ years old were administered the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT). The study reveals the role of economic insecurity and parental stimulation activities in receptive vocabulary acquisition of toddlers. It also indicates the importance of prospective longitudinal data in gaining a better understanding of the family and economic factors that can help foster the development of cognitive skills in children

Match between needs and services for participation of older adults receiving home care : Appraisals and challenges

Abstract : Purpose. This paper aims to explore the match between needs and services related to participation for frail older adults receiving home care. Design/methodology/approach. A qualitative multiple case study was conducted with 11 triads each involving an elder, a caregiver and a healthcare provider working in a Health and Social Services Centers (HSSCs). Findings. Although HSSCs in Québec are supposed to promote social integration and participation of older adults, services provided to the older adults in this study focused mainly on safety and independence in personal care, dressing, mobility and nutrition, without fully meeting older adults’ needs in these areas. Discrepancies between needs and services may be attributable to the assessment not covering all the dimensions of social participation or accurately identifying older adults’ complex needs; older adults’ and their caregivers’ difficulties identifying their needs and accepting their limitations and the assistance offered; healthcare providers’ limited knowledge and time to comprehensively assess needs and provide services; guidelines restricting the types and quantity of services to be supplied; and limited knowledge of older adults, caregivers and healthcare providers about services and resources available in the community. Originality/value. To improve and maintain older adults’ participation, a more thorough assessment of their participation, especially in social activities, is required, as is greater support for older adults and their families in using available community resources. It is also important to review the services provided by HSSCs and to optimize partnerships with community organizations

Un projet collaboratif avec les jeunes inuits, leurs familles et communautés : la persévérance scolaire sous l’angle des pratiques éducatives informelles, de la recherche scientifique communautaire et des cheminements éducatifs

Comprend des références bibliographiquesDes études sur la persévérance scolaire dans l’Inuit Nunangat ont relevé des lacunes en matière d’opportunités éducatives qui se perpétuent pour les jeunes et les jeunes adultes Inuits. En même temps, de nombreuses initiatives et projets sans précédent ont vu le jour ces dernières années, sous l’impulsion des Inuits et de leurs communautés. Ceux-ci répondent aux préoccupations de la communauté tout en réduisant ce déficit d’opportunités, et contribuent à l’autodétermination et à la mise en valeur de la culture. L’objectif de ce projet était de décrire les contributions éducatives des programmes et des projets menés par les Inuits dans trois communautés, sous l’angle de l’apprentissage tout au long de la vie et de la persévérance, tels que fondés sur l’Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) ou l’épistémologie inuite

Gender-specific associations between functional autonomy and physical capacities in independent older adults: Results from the NuAge study

Abstract : Background: Even with healthy and active aging, many older adults will experience a decrease in physical capacities. This decrease might be associated with diminished functional autonomy. However, little is known about the physical capacities associated with functional autonomy in older women and men. Objective: This study aimed to examine gender-specific associations between functional autonomy and physical capacities in independent older women and men. Methods: Secondary analyses were carried out using cross-sectional data from 652 women and 613 men who participated in the NuAge longitudinal study. The "functional autonomy measurement system" (SMAF) was used to evaluate functional autonomy. The physical capacities measured (tests used) were: biceps and quadriceps strength (Microfet dynamometer), grip strength (Martin vigorimeter), unipodal balance, changing position & walking (timed up and go), normal & fast walking (four-meter walking speed) and changing position (chair stand). Correlation and multiple linear regression analyses adjusted for age, depressive symptoms and body composition were performed. Results: On average, participants were aged 73 years and had mild to moderate functional autonomy loss. In women, after controlling for age, depressive symptoms and body composition, greater functional autonomy was best explained by faster changing position & walking skills and superior biceps strength (R2 = 0.46; p < 0.001). After controlling for depressive symptoms, faster changing position & walking skills and better unipodal balance best explained greater functional autonomy in men (R2 = 0.21; p < 0.001). Conclusion: According to these results, physical capacities are moderately associated with functional autonomy among independent older adults, especially women