The Responsiveness of Exercise Tests in COPD: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: COPD is characterized by reduced exercise tolerance, and improving physical performance is an important therapeutic goal. A variety of exercise tests are commonly used to assess exercise tolerance, including laboratory and field-based tests. The responsiveness of these various tests to common COPD interventions is yet to be compared, but the results may inform test selection in clinical and research settings.

Monitoring Cardiovascular Disease in Métis Citizens Across Ontario, 2012-2020.

Background: Population-based analyses of Métis-specific health outcomes in Canada are limited. This study aimed to address this gap and examine cardiovascular disease outcomes in citizens of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) over a 9-year period.

Methods: Under a data governance and sharing agreement between the MNO and ICES, registered MNO citizens aged ≥ 20 years were linked to administrative health data in Ontario.

Landscape of Métis health and wellness: protocol for a scoping review.

Introduction: In Canada, Métis people are one of three distinct Indigenous peoples whose rights are recognised and affirmed in Section 35 of the federal . In line with Métis people having a unique culture, history, language and way of life, a distinctions-based approach is critical to understand the current landscape of Métis-specific health. In this paper, we present a scoping review protocol to describe this research landscape in Canada led by the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO).

Hepatitis C (HCV) prevalence in citizens of the Métis Nation of Ontario.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major global concern, with Indigenous Peoples bearing the highest burden. Previous studies exploring HCV prevalence within Indigenous populations have predominantly used a pan-Indigenous approach, consequently resulting in limited availability of Métis-specific HCV data. The Métis are one of the three recognized groups of Indigenous Peoples in Canada with a distinct history and language.

COVID-19 vaccination intention and vaccine hesitancy among citizens of the Métis Nation of Ontario.

Objective: The study objective is to measure the influence of psychological antecedents of vaccination on COVID-19 vaccine intention among citizens of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO).

Methods: A population-based online survey was implemented by the MNO when COVID-19 vaccines were approved in Canada. Questions included vaccine intention, the short version of the "5C" psychological antecedents of vaccination scale (confidence, complacency, constraint, calculation, collective responsibility), and socio-demographics.

COVID-19 vaccine behaviour among citizens of the Métis Nation of Ontario: A qualitative study.

Background: The burden of the current COVID-19 pandemic is not shared equally in Canadian society, with Indigenous Peoples being disproportionately affected. Moreover, there is a lack of research pertaining to vaccination behaviour in Métis communities. This Métis-specific and Métis-led qualitative study endeavours to understand COVID-19 vaccine behaviour among citizens of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO).

Opportunistic postpartum depression symptom screening at well-child clinics in Alberta, 2012-2016.

Objectives: The study objective was to assess the reach and delivery of opportunistic postpartum depression (PPD) symptom screening at well-child clinic (WCC) immunization appointments in Alberta. The relationship between socio-demographic factors and PPD symptom screening status, and PPD symptom scores was explored.

Method: In this retrospective population-based cohort study, administrative health data from WCC immunization appointments were used to assess the PPD symptom screening delivery and scores from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2016.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination intentions among mothers of children aged 9 to 12 years: a survey of the All Our Families cohort.

Background: Acceptance of a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 is critical to achieving high levels of immunization. The objectives of this study were to understand mothers' SARS-CoV-2 vaccine intentions to explore reasons for and against SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

Methods: Participants from the All Our Families pregnancy longitudinal cohort whose children had reached ages 9-12 years were invited in May-June 2020 to complete a survey on the impact of COVID-19.

Effective interventions to increase routine childhood immunization coverage in low socioeconomic status communities in developed countries: A systematic review and critical appraisal of peer-reviewed literature.

Objectives: Childhood immunization coverage rates are known to be disproportionate according to population's socioeconomic status (SES). This systematic review examined and appraised quality of interventions deemed effective to increase routine childhood immunization uptake in low SES populations in developed countries.

Methods: A literature search was conducted using Medline, Embase, CINAHL, EBMR, PsycInfo, PubMed, and Health STAR.

Timeliness and completeness of routine childhood vaccinations in children by two years of age in Alberta, Canada.

Objectives: Assessing timeliness and completeness of vaccine administration is important for evaluating the effectiveness of immunization programs. Few studies have reported timeliness, particularly in Canada. The objective of this study was to examine timeliness of the receipt of vaccination for each routine childhood recommended vaccine by 24 months of age among children in a community-based pregnancy cohort in Calgary, Alberta.

Association Between Socioeconomic Status and Access to Care and Quitting Smoking With and Without Assistance.

Introduction: Socio-economic disparities in smoking rates persist, in Ontario, despite public health care and universal tobacco control policies. Mechanisms for continuing disparities are not fully understood. Unequal access or utilization of assistance for cessation may contribute.

Knowledge change associated with participation in prenatal education programs in Ontario: A cohort study.

Objectives: The primary objective was to examine how participation in prenatal programs delivered by Ontario public health units influences pregnant women's pregnancy-related knowledge. Secondary objectives were to examine the socio-demographic characteristics of women participating in these programs and assess program satisfaction.

Methods: A cohort study was conducted of 511 adult pregnant women who were registered for a prenatal program within one of seven Ontario public health units.

The impact of parenthood on Canadians' objectively measured physical activity: an examination of cross-sectional population-based data.

Background: Parenthood has been associated with declines in leisure-time exercise and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), but less is known about its impact on sedentary time and light-intensity activity. Although the health benefits of MVPA are well established, a growing body of research has been showing that even after controlling for MVPA levels, a detrimental dose-response association exists between sedentary time and adverse health outcomes and a beneficial dose-response association exists for light-intensity activity.

Methods: This study examined the impact of parenthood, the number of children in the home, and the age of the youngest child on objectively measured physical activity (i.

Prevalence of unassisted quit attempts in population-based studies: a systematic review of the literature.

Aims: The idea that most smokers quit without formal assistance is widely accepted, however, few studies have been referenced as evidence. The purpose of this study is to systematically review the literature to determine what proportion of adult smokers report attempting to quit unassisted in population-based studies.

Methods: A four stage strategy was used to conduct a search of the literature including searching 9 electronic databases (PUBMED, MEDLINE (OVID) (1948-), EMBASE (1947-), CINAHL, ISI Web of Science with conference proceedings, PsycINFO (1806-), Scopus, Conference Papers Index, and Digital Dissertations), the gray literature, online forums and hand searches.

Digital compared with screen-film mammography: performance measures in concurrent cohorts within an organized breast screening program.

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of digital direct radiography (DR) and computed radiography (CR) compared with that of screen-film mammography (SFM) in large concurrent cohorts.

Materials And Methods: This study was approved by the University of Toronto Research Ethics Board and did not require informed consent. Concurrent cohorts of women aged 50-74 years screened with DR (n = 220 520), CR (n = 64 210), or SFM (n = 403 688) between 2008 and 2009 were identified and followed for 12 months.

Beliefs about optimal age and screening frequency predict breast screening adherence in a prospective study of female relatives from the Ontario site of the Breast Cancer Family Registry.

Background: Although few studies have linked cognitive variables with adherence to mammography screening in women with family histories of breast and/or ovarian cancer, research studies suggest cognitive phenomena can be powerful adherence predictors.

Methods: This prospective study included 858 women aged 30 to 71 years from the Ontario site of the Breast Cancer Family Registry with at least one first-degree relative diagnosed with breast and/or ovarian cancer. Data on beliefs about breast cancer screening and use of mammography were obtained from annual telephone interviews spanning three consecutive years.

Favourable prognostic factors of subsequent screen-detected breast cancers among women aged 50-69.

Most studies reporting more favourable biological features of screen-detected breast cancers compared with symptomatic or interval cancers include initial or prevalent screens and therefore may not indicate the real benefit of screening on breast cancer mortality. We conducted case-case comparisons within a cohort of eligible women (N=771 715) who were aged 50-69 between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 2003. A randomly selected sample of breast cancers (N=1848) diagnosed among these women were compared by detection method.

Characteristics and quality of pediatric cost-utility analyses.

Purpose: Measuring utility for cost-utility analysis (CUA) is challenging in children. The objectives were to characterize pediatric CUAs, appraise their quality, and identify determinants of higher quality.

Methods: Descriptive data were imported from the PEDE database for 305 pediatric CUAs published from 1997 to 2009, and quality was rated using the Pediatric Quality Appraisal Questionnaire (PQAQ) in 213 studies.

Satisfaction with initial screen and compliance with biennial breast screening at centers with and without nurses.

Background: A woman's experience during her initial breast screen can influence her participation in subsequent screening.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between a woman's satisfaction with her initial screening experience and compliance to biennial screening at centers with and without nurses.

Methods: A stratified random sample of compliers and noncompliers to biennial screening was selected from a cohort of 16 858 eligible women aged 50 to 65 years attending centers with and without nurses for their initial screen at the Ontario Breast Screening Program in 2002.

Tumor characteristics associated with mammographic detection of breast cancer in the Ontario breast screening program.

Background: Few studies have compared the prognostic value of tumor characteristics by type of breast cancer diagnosed in the interval between mammographic screenings with screen-detected breast cancers.

Methods: We conducted a case-case study within the cohort of women (n = 431 480) in the Ontario Breast Screening Program who were aged 50 years and older and were screened between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 2002. Interval cancers, defined as breast cancers diagnosed within 24 months after a negative screening mammogram, were designated as true interval cancers (n = 288) or missed interval cancers (n = 87) if they were not identified at the time of screening but were identified in retrospect.

Are occasional smokers a heterogeneous group? An exploratory study.

Background: Occasional smokers represent an important segment of all smokers and have been described to be a heterogeneous group in terms of past experience and likelihood of maintaining nondaily smoking behavior.

Methods: In the prospective Ontario Tobacco Survey, 408 occasional smokers were followed for a year. Characteristics of subgroups of occasional smokers, as suggested by previous literature, were studied for personal and smoking behavior group differences.

Predisposing factors associated with compliance to biennial breast screening among centers with and without nurses.

Background: Previous research suggests that predisposing factors such as previous screening experience, participation in preventive health behaviors, and knowledge/beliefs about breast cancer and screening influence a woman's decision to make a timely return for a second screen.

Methods: A stratified random sample of compliers and noncompliers to biennial screening were selected from a cohort of 51,242 women ages 50 to 65 years who had their initial screen at the Ontario Breast Screening Program. In total, 1,901 women were telephone-interviewed.