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Background: Previous studies have examined public psycho-behavioural responses in the early stages of the epidemic, little is known after mass vaccination has been implemented. This study aimed to investigate the public's behavioural (adoption of COVID-19 precautionary measures) and psychological (depression, anxiety and stress) responses to COVID-19 and their relationships after the launch of the territory-wide vaccination programme in Hong Kong. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study using anonymous online or face-to-face questionnaires was conducted between June 2021 and September 2021. A convenience sample of Hong Kong Chinese residents aged ⩾18 years were recruited online by referrals and from a university-run community vaccination centre. Results: A total of 1893 valid questionnaires were received. The results showed that Hong Kong residents have high levels of adoption of precautionary measures and low levels of depression, anxiety and stress after the mass vaccination. Hierarchical regression analysis identified that in the fully adjusted model, the adoption of precautionary measures was a consistent protective factor (β ranged −1.51 to −1.67, p < 0.001) for depression, anxiety and stress amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: This study offers new information on the public's psycho-behavioural responses to the pandemic, as well as insights into public health planning after introducing the mass vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To identify a cut-off score for the COmprehensive Score for financial Toxicity (COST) to predict a clinical implication of a high level of financial toxicity (FT). Methods: A total of 640 cancer patients were recruited from three regional hospitals in Hong Kong. They completed a questionnaire comprising the COST measure and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (FACT-G) instrument. The cut-off score for the COST that predicts the lowest quartile of the FACT-G total score was identified by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The sample was then stratified by this cut-off score, and characteristics were compared using Fisher's exact, chi-squared or independent sample t-test. Results: The mean scores were 20.1 ± 8.8 for the COST and 71.6 ± 15.5 for the FACT-G. The ROC analysis suggested that the cut-off of 17.5 yielded an acceptable sensitivity and specificity. Characteristics of patients with a higher level of FT included being younger, having a monthly household income of < 10,000 HKD (approximately 1290 USD), being more likely not employed, having stage IV cancer and receiving targeted and/or immunotherapy. In terms of financial support, a higher proportion of these patients had discussed financial issues with health care professionals and had received financial assistance. In addition, fewer of them were covered by private health insurance. Conclusion: Our findings suggest a cut-off for the COST that can be used to screen for FT in clinical settings. In addition, while a considerable proportion of high-FT patients received targeted therapy, they often received financial assistance. There is a gap between financial hardship and assistance that warrants attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Solid fuel use for cooking is a main source of household air pollution, particularly in rural China. Evidence on the association between household air pollution and sleep quality remains limited. This study aimed to examine the association between household solid fuels used for cooking and sleep disturbance.Methods: The data of 283,170 adults from baseline survey of the China Kadoorie Biobank Study were included. Detailed information about exposure to solid fuels used for cooking were collected. Sleep disturbance was indicated as any of the three sleep disorders, including disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep, disorders of early morning awakening, and daytime dysfunction. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between sleep disturbance and level of exposure to household solid fuels used for cooking.Results: About 18% of participants reported sleep disturbance. Fully adjusted analysis indicated exposure to household solid fuels used for cooking was significantly associated with sleep disturbance. Compared to those with 0-3 years exposure (first tertile) to solid fuels used for cooking, the participants with 3-26 years exposure (second tertile) and >26 years exposure (third tertile) had greater odds of having sleep disturbance at 1.16 (95% CI: 1.12-1.19) and 1.33 (95% CI: 1.29-1.37) times, respectively.Conclusions: Use of household solid fuels is associated with prevalence of sleep disturbance; the longer duration of exposure to solid fuels use for cooking, the higher is the prevalence of sleep disturbance. Further study is warranted to examine the underlying mechanisms of the association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the effects of a multimodal couple-based sexual health intervention for premenopausal women treated for breast cancer and their partners to provide personalised psychosexual care, and to understand participants' experience of, and adherence to, the intervention. Methods: This is an assessor-blinded, randomised controlled trial. Premenopausal women treated for breast cancer (N = 160) and their partners will be recruited. Dyads will be randomised into an intervention (n = 80) or attention control (n = 80) group. The intervention group will receive the multimodal couple-based sexual health intervention over eight weeks. The intervention comprises five face-to-face and virtual individual couple counselling sessions combined with online reading, a chat-based discussion forum, and telephone calls. The intervention is based on level I-II evidence and a robust theoretical framework. The attention control group will receive usual care plus telephone calls comprising general greetings and reminders to complete follow-up surveys. Sexual adjustment, relationship quality and quality of life will be measured at baseline, after completion of the intervention, three months and six months post-intervention. The project will adhere to the CONSORT-EHEALTH checklist. Qualitative interviews will explore the participants' experience of, and adherence to, the intervention. Discussion: This study will provide the first pragmatic evidence of the effectiveness of a multimodal couple-coping intervention to support premenopausal women and their partners to improve sexuality, relationship quality and quality of life after treatment for breast cancer. Implications for the profession and /or patient care: Sexual health is a neglected area in clinical practice, for patients and partners. The ever-growing population of women treated for breast cancer at younger age has created a more pressing need for the development of tailored sexual health interventions. If effective, this intervention could be incorporated into routine cancer care to provide better support and care for this patient population to enhance sexual health, intimacy and overall well-being. Trial registration: ISRCTN35481498; prospectively registered on 08/05/2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An intensive care unit (ICU) delirium prediction tool, PREdiction of DELIRium in ICu patients (PRE‐DELIRIC), has been developed and calibrated in a multinational project. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding the predictive ability of the PRE‐DELIRIC among Chinese ICU patients. Aim: To evaluate the predictive validity (discrimination and calibration) of PRE‐DELIRIC. Design: This is a retrospective cohort study. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Consecutive participants (a) admitted to the ICU for ≥24 hours, (b) aged ≥18 years, and (c) admitted to the ICU for the first time were included. Ten predictors (age, APACHE‐II, urgent and admission category, urea level, metabolic acidosis, infection, coma, sedation, and morphine use) assessed within 24 hours upon ICU admission were assessed. Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method for ICU. Outcomes included ICU length of stay and mortality. Discrimination and calibration were determined by the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), box plot, and calibration plot. Results: A total of 375 ICU patients were included, with 44.0% of patients being delirious. Delirium was significantly associated with age, PRE‐DELIRIC score, ICU length of stay, and mortality. The AUROC was 0.81 (95% confidence interval, 0.77‐0.86). The optimal cut‐off point identified by max Youden index was 49%. The calibration plot of pooled data demonstrated a calibration slope of 0.894 and an intercept of −0.178. Conclusions: The PRE‐DELIRIC has high predictive value and is suggested to be adopted in ICUs for early initiation of preventive interventions against delirium among high‐risk patients. Relevance to clinical practice: Clinicians can adopt the PRE‐DELIRIC among ICU patients to screen patients at high risk of developing delirium. Early initiative interventions could be implemented to reduce the negative impacts of ICU delirium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Eczema is the most common childhood skin problem worldwide. Education that enhances parental self‐efficacy in carrying out appropriate eczema management is crucial to controlling eczema symptoms of their children. However, the lack of such a structured education program hinders everyday lives of eczematous children and their families. This study evaluated the effects of a self‐efficacy theory‐based parental eczema education program in controlling eczema of Chinese children at three months after commencement of intervention. Methods: An assessor‐blind, 2‐arm, randomized controlled trial was conducted at an outpatient clinic of a regional hospital. One hundred and thirty‐six Chinese children aged 3 months to 12 years with physician‐diagnosed eczema, and their parents were recruited. The intervention was underpinned by the Social Cognitive Theory. Children's disease severity, parental self‐efficacy, treatment adherence, and quality of life of family members were assessed by validated tools. Generalized estimating equation model was employed to compare differential change in each outcome across time between different groups. Results: Eczema severity of children and parental self‐efficacy in the intervention group were found to show greater improvement at 3‐month follow‐up with regression coefficient (β) −16.98 (95% CI, −21.04 to −12.92; P <.001) and β 29.39 (95% CI, 22.64‐36.14; P <.001), respectively. Nearly all parents (97%) receiving the intervention rated this program as useful and helpful. Conclusions: This program is effective in enhancing parents' self‐efficacy in managing their children's eczema and improving their adherence to eczema treatment and quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]