Are there differences in health care utilization in areas with both Sami and non-Sami populations in Norway?: The SAMINOR 1 study

Abstract

Background: western countries (Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Canada) with an indigenous population can all report disparities in health status between the majority and the indigenous population. Corresponding differences have not been found among the indigenous population in Norway, the Sami. Nevertheless, concerns regarding under-utilization of health care services and health disparities have emerged from previous studies from the 1980s. Objective: more recent studies have not been able to confirm findings of under-utilization, and the previous assumptions are currently being challenged. To determine whether there are ethnic differences in health care utilization in areas with both Sami and non-Sami populations in Norway, individually derived and population-based data is needed. Thus, this thesis seeks to investigate potential ethnic differences in the number of general practitioner (GP) visits during the past year. Material and Methods: data used in this thesis stems from the SAMINOR 1 study; a cross-sectional study from 2003-2004 in northern Norway. Participants in this study include persons of Sami, Kven and/or Norwegian ethnicity in the same geographical area. Conclusion: the findings in this thesis confirm findings from other recent studies; overall, small differences in the number of GP visits during the past year were found when comparing Sami and non-Sami women and men in rural areas in Norway.