Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Background : My research focuses on indigenous caregiver and adolescent perceptions of injury risk management. Unintentional or unplanned injuries remains the leading cause of death for Canadian indigenous children. There is a lack of studies examining risk factors of unintentional injuries among indigenous caregivers and youth. I intend to investigate community perceptions of injury causes, prevention and barriers to implementation. Hypothesis : I expect that understandings of childhood injury risk, prevention strategies and implementation barriers will be influenced by cultural and contextual factors. Specific Objectives: 1. Determine indigenous parental and adolescent understandings of risk factors of unintentional adolescent injury2. Examine approaches to community-based risk management strategies to prevent injury in adolescents3. Identify barriers that prevent implementation of adolescent injury management strategies Methodology: For this qualitative study, I will conduct semi-structured interviews with Indigenous caregivers and adolescents between ages 10-14 years in Edmonton, Alberta. Interviews will be transcribed and coded. Data will thematically analyzed. Significance: Prevention of unintentional injury is critical in preventing lifelong disability and disease among indigenous adolescents, who disproportionately experience higher rates of unintentional injury. My research will help develop more effective educational interventions and behavioural-change strategies for injury control among indigenous populations in Edmonton.