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BackgroundAround 2 million Chinese people, mostly men, die annually from tobacco-related diseases; yet, fewer than 8% of Chinese smokers ever receive any smoking cessation support. ObjectiveThis study aimed to test the preliminary effectiveness and feasibility for a mobile social network (WeChat)–based smoking cessation intervention (SCAMPI program) among Chinese male smokers. MethodsChinese male smokers aged 25-44 years were recruited online from WeChat, the most widely used social media platform in China. Individuals using other smoking cessation interventions or who lacked capacity to provide online informed consent were excluded. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to intervention or control groups. Neither participants nor researchers were masked to assignment. The trial was fully online. All data were collected via WeChat. The intervention group received access to the full-version SCAMPI program, a Chinese-language smoking cessation program based on the Behaviour Change Wheel framework and relevant cessation guidelines. Specific intervention functions used in the program include: planning to help users make quitting plans, calculator to record quitting benefits, calendar to record progress, gamification to facilitate quitting, information about smoking harms, motivational messages to help users overcome urges, standardized tests for users to assess their levels of nicotine dependence and lung health, as well as a social platform to encourage social support between users. The control group had access to a static WeChat page of contacts for standard smoking cessation care. Both groups received incentive credit payments for participating. The primary outcome was 30-day biochemically verified smoking abstinence at 6 weeks after randomization, with missing data treated as not quitting. Secondary outcomes were other smoking status measures, reduction of cigarette consumption, study feasibility (recruitment and retention rate), and acceptability of and satisfaction with the program. ResultsThe program recorded 5736 visitors over a 13-day recruitment period. We recruited 80 participants who were randomly allocated to two arms (n=40 per arm). At 6 weeks, 36 of 40 (90%) intervention participants and 35 of 40 (88%) control participants provided complete self-reported data on their daily smoking status via WeChat. Biochemically verified smoking abstinence at 6 weeks was determined for 10 of 40 (25%) intervention participants and 2 of 40 (5%) control participants (RR=5, 95% CI 1.2-21.4, P=.03). In the intervention group, the calculator function, motivational messages, and health tests were underused (less than once per week per users). Participants rated their satisfaction with the intervention program as 4.56 out of 5.00. ConclusionsOur program is a novel, accessible, and acceptable smoking cessation intervention for Chinese male smokers. A future trial with a greater sample size and longer follow-up will identify if it is as effective as these preliminary data suggest. Trial RegistrationANZCTR registry, ACTRN12618001089224; https://tinyurl.com/y536n7sx International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR2-18071

BackgroundApproximately 2 million Chinese people die annually from tobacco-related diseases, mostly men; yet, fewer than 8% of Chinese smokers ever receive any smoking cessation advice or support. A social network–based gamified smoking cessation intervention (SCAMPI: Smoking Cessation App for Chinese Male: Pilot Intervention) is designed to help Chinese male smokers to quit smoking. ObjectiveThis paper aims to present the protocol of a study examining the preliminary effectiveness of SCAMPI by comparing the prolonged abstinence rate of a group of users with a comparator group during a 6-week follow-up period. MethodsA two-arm pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the preliminary effectiveness and acceptability of the SCAMPI program as a smoking cessation intervention. After initial web-based screening, the first 80 eligible individuals who had gone through the required registration process were registered as participants of the trial. Participants were randomly allocated to the intervention group (n=40) and the control group (n=40). Participants in the intervention group used the full version of the SCAMPI program, which is a Chinese smoking cessation program developed based on the Behavior Change Wheel framework and relevant smoking cessation and design guidelines with involvement of target users. The program delivers a range of smoking cessation approaches, including helping users to make quitting plans, calculator to record quitting benefits, calendar to record progress, gamification to facilitate quitting, providing information about smoking harms, motivational messages to help users overcome urges, providing standardized tests to users for assessing their levels of nicotine dependence and lung health, and providing a platform to encourage social support between users. Participants in the control group used the restricted version of the SCAMPI program (placebo app). ResultsRecruitment for this project commenced in January 2019 and proceeded until March 2019. Follow-up data collection was commenced and completed by June 2019. The primary outcome measure of the study was the 30-day bio-verified smoking abstinence at the 6-week follow-up (self-reported data verified by the Nicotine Cotinine Saliva Test). The secondary outcome measures of the study included participants’ cigarette consumption reduction (compared baseline daily cigarette consumption with end-of-trial daily cigarette consumption), participants’ 7-day smoking abstinence at 4-week and 6-week follow-up (self-reported), participants’ 30-day smoking abstinence at 6-week follow-up (self-reported data only), and participants’ acceptability and satisfaction levels of using the SCAMPI program (measured by the Mobile App Rating Scale questionnaire). ConclusionsIf the SCAMPI program is shown to be preliminary effective, the study will be rolled out to be a future trial with a larger sample size and longer follow-up (6 months) to identify if it is an effective social network–based tool to support Chinese male smokers to quit smoking. Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618001089224; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=375381 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR1-10.2196/18071

This study reviews the demographic characteristics of Asian children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Auckland, New Zealand, the support services they can access, and how more equitable access to health services can be provided. We examined government and non-government support services for Asian children diagnosed with ASD and their families. The findings reflect the complexities of navigating and accessing health, disability, education and social support services. Analysis of Ministry of Health Disability Support Services (DSSs) data suggest that Asians in New Zealand are underrepresented in utilizing DSSs. Drawing on Andersen's health care utilization model, suggestions for more equitable access to health, disability, education and social support include culturally and linguistically appropriate health care and social policies.

This study reviews the demographic characteristics of Asian children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Auckland, New Zealand, the support services they can access, and how more equitable access to health services can be provided. We examined government and non-government support services for Asian children diagnosed with ASD and their families. The findings reflect the complexities of navigating and accessing health, disability, education and social support services. Analysis of Ministry of Health Disability Support Services (DSSs) data suggest that Asians in New Zealand are underrepresented in utilizing DSSs. Drawing on Andersen's health care utilization model, suggestions for more equitable access to health, disability, education and social support include culturally and linguistically appropriate health care and social policies., Author(s): Myint Htut [sup.1] , Elsie Ho [sup.1] , Janine Wiles [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.9654.e, 0000 0004 0372 3343, Social and Community Health, School of Population Health, Faculty of [...]

Chinese families from Hong Kong living in New Zealand have formed nuclear and 'astronaut' family structures and two transitional structures. Nuclear family members left Hong Kong together and live in New Zealand together, while 'astronaut' families have children living with one parent, and transitions have children living with neither parent.

This article presents analysis of New Zealand's internal migration pattern from 1991-1996. Variation between North and South Islands and between rural and urban areas are described.

Migration patterns observed between New Zealand's two islands occurring between 1986 and 1991 have been compared by age and ethnic group. Census data from 1991 and 1996 were used to tabulate these comparisons. Contrary to previous trends, more people moved to the south island from the north island than the north to the south, particularly among younger European populations. Maori, Asian, and Pacific Island Polynesian populations tended to move north.

Objectives:The current study aimed to explore if the impact of various risk factors for chronic disease differed for people of Chinese, Indian and New Zealand European and Other (NZEO) ethnicities. Design:Data analysed for this paper was extracted from the 2003–04 and the 2006–07 NZ Health surveys for adults aged 25–70 which used a cross-sectional survey design. Data from both the survey waves were combined and all statistical analysis was done using SAS version 9.2 or 9.3. Ethnicity of participants was coded using a priority-based classification system as (1) Indian, (2) Chinese, (3) Other Asian, (4) NZEO, (5) Maori and (6) Pacific. Only data for Indians, Chinese and NZEO were used for the current study. Prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals for chronic disease and the associated risk factors were generated to describe the sample. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine whether the difference in the change in risk of chronic disease with different exposures was different according to ethnicity. Results:Higher deprivation resulted in increased risk of chronic disease in Indian and Chinese males but not in NZEO males (p= .03). There was a weak evidence for a differing effect of physical activity (p = .10) on chronic disease with the protective effect not seen in Indian or Chinese participants. Conclusion:The results of the current study indicate that some factors such as socio-economic deprivation and physical activity may impact differently on the prevalence of chronic disease according to ethnicity. The authors recommend further investigation of these factors using improved and innovative methodology and high-quality ethnicity data to better understand the factors underpinning ethnic disparities in disease prevalence among Asian sub-groups. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this age of transnational migration, family structures and relationships are transformed as a result of family members living in two or more countries. Over the past three decades, the international migration of Chinese from East Asia to Australia and New Zealand is an example of the global phenomenon of transnationalism, where families employ bi- or multi-local strategies to meet the needs of family members at different stages of their life cycle. Despite this growing trend towards transnationalism, the care of older people in transnational settings has received little attention in studies on migration, transnationalism and care. Older members are in need of help and care when their children and other younger relatives change residence to other countries. In the case of older people who have followed their adult children to live in another country, the need for help and care can arise or increase when the health of the older migrants deteriorates, often making it necessary for other overseas family members to go between countries for the care of their elderly relatives. This paper is based on 80 in-depth interviews with Chinese families in Australia and New Zealand where adult children are providing care to their aged parents living in Taiwan, the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong SAR. The study explores the transnational care-givers' attitudes towards filial piety, and how filial responsibilities are performed through transnational care-giving. The findings offer insight into the ageing experience of elderly Chinese people in transnational contexts, and stimulates new thinking on broader issues of global human mobility and transnational aged care amongst contemporary Chinese families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The values of filial piety have strongly influenced the care of older people in traditional Chinese societies. Changes in family structure and relationships have occurred and in recent decades, transnational migration has become a factor in how filial piety is per- ceived and practiced in contemporary translocal Chinese families. Through the use of in-depth interviews, this pilot study explores transnational family patterns, elder care practices, attitudes towards filial piety, and opinions of the medical systems in Tai- wan and Australia among 14 Taiwanese families who have lived in Australia for over 20 years. The study finds that despite immigration, filial piety remains an important value for these families. Most participants have/had provided care to their aged parents at the site of immigration and back home, and some of these parents were immigrants who had returned to Taiwan in their old age. Participants generally felt that older peo- ple are better looked after in Taiwan than in Australia, as Taiwan has a better health- care system, and hired caregivers are more readily available. Elders' expectations of filial piety from their children varied among participants, but all were prepared for a weakening of filiality and ongoing changes in intergenerational relations while living in a Western country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]