SP6-2 Characteristics and determinants of self-rated health of minority Francophone seniors living in Canada and their access to health services in French

Abstract

Introduction We studied perinatal health of first born children by mother's abortion history in Finland with good abortion and birth services and relatively few abortions. Methods Nationwide registers covering all births and induced abortions were used. All first time mothers in Birth Register (1996e2008) were linked to Abortion Register (1983e2008). The perinatal health of children was compared by the number of mother's abortions adjusting by logistic regression for mothers' age, civil status, socioeconomic status, urbanity and smoking. Results Of the 300 858 mothers, 22 860 (7.6%) had one, 2681 (0.9%) two, 542 (0.2%) three or more abortions. Of abortions, 88% were surgical, 91% were made <12 weeks, and most were made for social reasons. Compared to mothers with no previous abortion, perinatal health problems (preterm birth, low birth weight, low Apgar score 0e6, perinatal death) were not more common among mothers having had one abortion, but were among mothers having had 3+ abortions. Results on preterm birth (adjusted OR for <28 weeks 2.41 and for <37 weeks 1.34) and on low birth weight (<1500 g 1.92, <2500 g 1.42) were statistically significant. Among women having two previous abortions very preterm (<28 weeks, OR 1.45) and low Apgar scores (OR 1.10) were increased, but not statistically significantly. Conclusions One previous abortion did not increase perinatal problems at first birth, but three or more did; two were in between. This may be due to mothers' characteristics not controlled for or due to sequel of repeated abortions. Research in the US particularly has contributed to a lot of what is known about the difficulties that linguistic minorities face in accessing and using health services. Studies need to be conducted in Canada to refine and improve knowledge on the matter. The literature is virtually unanimous that seniors do not enjoy the same level of health as the general population. Canadian studies have found that the health status of seniors declines with increasing age as more health issues are reported. This has also been linked to health services use by seniors aged 65 and over accounting for over 47% of total healthcare cost increase. The 2006 Canadian post-census Survey on the Vitality of Official-Language Minorities (SVOLM) carried out by Statistics Canada is used as well as the 2007 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). The SVOLM helps assess factors associated with the self-rated health of minority Francophone seniors. The CCHS helps complement the SVOLM and allows for comparability with the general population. Descriptive, univariate and multivariable analyses such as ordinary and binary logistic regression are carried out. Through a social marketing approach, the results of the quantitative analyses (which are currently being carried out) will help engage dialogue with the community, educators, policy makers, health practitioners, and the healthcare system in order to help inform and shape policy with regards to health services access and utilisation in the province of Saskatchewan...