Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Introduction Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that is a known risk factor for peptic ulcer disease and stomach cancer. Because little data are available on H. pylori infection and treatment in Aboriginal peoples in Canada, we aimed to describe the patterns of drugs given out to treat the infection in First Nations (FN) and Inuit peoples living in Alberta, Canada. Methods Using pharmacy data, we identified individuals dispensed drugs used to treat H. pylori infection during 2009 through 2014. We estimated average annual rates of H. pylori treatment by FN/Inuit status, sex, year, and geographic health zone. We also compared rates across FN/Inuit and non-FN/Inuit populations. Results Less than 1% of the FN/Inuit population was given at least one set of drugs for the treatment of H. pylori infection: the majority of drugs were given to females (64%) and to those 35-59 years of age (58%). Among females, the rate of a first drug treatment in FN/Inuit was about double the rate in non-FN/Inuit. For a second treatment in females, the rate in FN/Inuit was almost three times the rate in non-FN/Inuit. FN/Inuit rates were highest in the northern healthcare zone, with the number of drugs given out to treat the infection in this area accounting for almost half of those dispensed to FN/Inuit across Alberta (46%). Conclusions These results suggest a higher burden of H. pylori infection in the FN/Inuit population compared to non-FN/Inuit living in Alberta, Canada, particularly among females and those living in northern areas of the province.