Project 173151

There has been a lack of data on Aboriginal (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) birth outcomes in Canada at the national-level, and a lack of population-based data on Aboriginal birth outcomes in most provinces. Available research data suggest that First Nations and Inuit birth outcomes are much worse than their non-Aboriginal counterparts. The causes and causal mediating factors are poorly understood. We have the experience in using the Statistics Canada's linked perinatal data in research of Quebec First Nations and Inuit birth outcomes. A major limitation of Statistics Canada's linked vital data is its very limited number of variables on maternal and pregnancy characteristics, therefore the inability for more in depth analyses on the causes and consequences of adverse birth outcomes. We therefore propose to explore the feasibility of Quebec administrative health databases linkage enabling potentially more in depth future studies on Quebec First Nations and Inuit birth outcomes. The major Quebec administrative data sources for this feasibility study will include vital registration database (stillbirth, live birth, infant death) of the Institut de la Statistique du Québec (ISQ), the hospital records database Med-Echo (Maintenance et Exploitation des Données pour l'Étude de la Clientèle HOspitalière) of the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services - le Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux (MSSS), and the diagnosis/clinical service and medications databases of Quebec Medical Insurance - Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).