USE OF GASTROINTESTINAL AND RESPIRATORY ILLNESS HOSPITALIZATION RATESAS INDICATORS OF DIFFERENT SOCIAL INFLUENCES

The hospitalization rates for gastrointestinal and respiratory illness es in children under five years of age were examined on two Indian res erves in Northern Saskatchewan. The gastrointestinal illness rate was used as an index of waterborne disease, and the respiratory rate as an index of general health and of local customs affecting hospitalizatio ns. The reserve rates were compared with those for other Saskatchewan status Indians and for other Saskatchewan residents. The risk ratios b etween the reserves and other Indians, and between the reserves and ot her Saskatchewan residents, were increased for both gastrointestinal a nd respiratory illnesses. The risk ratio of gastrointestinal rate divi ded by respiratory rate was greater for either reserve than for other Indians or other Saskatchewan residents. Waterborne illnesses were an even greater problem on rhe two study reserves than on other reserves. Comparing hospitalization rates for different illness groups is a use ful method to compare the effect of different social factors.