Grant: Operating Grant - PA: First Nations, Inuit and Metis Health

Asthma and allergies are major health concerns in Canada, particularly among Aboriginal children and youth. Loneliness and isolation are common among these children and their parents. Peer support from children and parents facing the same situation is important but currently lacking. The purpose of this study is to: 1) Describe the support needs and support desires of Aboriginal children/youth with asthma and allergies and their parents; 2) Develop accessible and appealing peer support program(s) for these children/youth and parents in consultation with Aboriginal peoples; 3) Offer the peer support program (e.g. telephone, online) and test the health-related effects of the program; 4) Identify suggestions for improved practice, programs, and policies. A Community Advisory Committee (CAC) has been created with Aboriginal community representatives, Aboriginal service providers, and policy influencers. The committee will provide advice on the support program, interview guides, outcome measures, and on sharing findings with the community and people who plan policies. Aboriginal research assistants will interview 30 children/youth with asthma and allergies and 30 parents to find out what support programs they would like. We will then develop a support program for Aboriginal children/youth with asthma and allergies and parents based on their needs and desires and CAC advice. Peer helpers and health professionals will provide information, guidance, and emotional support to participants every week for 24 weeks. The program will be provided to 30 children, 30 youth, and 60 parents. We will assess the impact of the support program on resilience, loneliness/isolation, coping, quality of life, and support satisfaction. Aboriginal children/youth and parents will be asked about their satisfaction with the program, its impacts, and changes for the future. Aboriginal community representatives and other stakeholders (n=16-20) will then suggest program and policy implications.