Preference for online health information among Chinese

If soon-to-be-aged (STBA) adults do not do well in disease prevention or chronic illness care, their health problems may add a heavy load to the health care system and its costs. Objective: This study aims to identify factors that were associated with Chinese STBA adults’ preference for online health information (POHI). Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2005-2006 among Hong Kong adults. Results: Out of the 516 respondents, one-third indicated their preference to get health information via the Internet. Five significant independent factors were found to be associated with POHI: 10th grade education or above, being employed, perceiving they had good language ability, knowing someone who could teach them, and Chinese who placed a higher value on learning as they grew older. Conclusions: With these findings, practitioners could work out some ways to support STBA adults for online health-related learning and health literacy.published_or_final_versio

Development and validation of Chinese Health Literacy Scale for Diabetes

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To develop and to test the psychometric properties of the Chinese Health Literacy Scale for Diabetes. BACKGROUND: Patients with diabetes encounter many challenges when making health decisions in their daily lives, as they have access to many different kinds of health information. Health literacy issues are new topics in Chinese society. Without a valid and reliable instrument in Chinese, it is difficult to measure the level of health literacy and promote the concept of health literacy in Chinese societies. DESIGN: A methodological study with a sample of 137 patients with type 2 diabetes aged 65 years or older. METHOD: Chinese Health Literacy Scale for Diabetes was developed with reference to the revised Bloom's taxonomy model. Psychometric tests (content validity, item analysis, construct validity, discriminative ability and test-retest reliability) were conducted. Correlations between Chinese Health Literacy Scale for Diabetes and four relevant measures were tested. Cronbach's alpha and alpha if item deleted were calculated to assess internal consistency. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha for Chinese Health Literacy Scale for Diabetes and its four subscales (remembering, understanding, applying and analysing) were 0.884, 0.885, 0.667, 0.654 and 0.717, respectively. The Chinese Health Literacy Scale for Diabetes was significantly correlated with the Diabetic Knowledge Scale (r = 0.398, p < 0.001), the Diabetic Management Self-Efficacy Scale (r = 0.257, p < 0.001), the Preschool and Primary Chinese Literacy Scale (r = 0.822, p < 0.001) and the Chinese Value of Learning Scale (r = 0.303, p < 0.001). It took an average of seven minutes to complete this 34-item instrument. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study support the Chinese Health Literacy Scale for Diabetes as a reliable and valid instrument for measuring the health literacy of Chinese patients with diabetes. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: We recommend that clinicians use this tool to assess patients' health literacy before conducting any kind of health promotion.postprin

Walking in the High-rise City: A Health Enhancement and Pedometer-determined Ambulatory (HEPA) Program in Hong Kong

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Walking in the cement forest: a health enhancement and pedometer-determined ambulatory (HEPA) program in Hong Kong

Congress Theme: A Celebration of Diversity and Inclusion in Active AgeingThis journal suppl.entitled: Supplement issue: Abstracts for the 8th World Congress on Ageing and Physical Activitypublished_or_final_versionThe 8th Annual World Congress on Active Ageing (WCAA): A Celebration of Diversity and Inclusion in Active Ageing, Glasgow, Scotland, UK, 13 -17 August 2012. In Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 2012, v. 20, Suppl., p. S226-S22

Service learning in medical and nursing training: A randomized controlled trial

The purpose of this study was to explore the long term effect of a service learning project on medical and nursing students' knowledge in aging and their attitudes toward older adults. A total of 124 students were recruited and then randomized to intervention group (IG) and control group (CG). A pre-and-post-intervention design measured students' knowledge in aging (using modified Palmore's Fact on Aging Quiz) and attitudes toward older adults (using Kogan's Old People Scale). A total of 103 students completed all the activities and questionnaires. After the intervention, there were significant differences between the IG and CG on Palmore's mental health (MH) (P =.04), Palmore's total score (P =.02) and Kogan's negative attitudes toward older adults (P =.001). All students increased their positive attitude toward older adults after the intervention. However, both the IG and CG showed a decrease in positive attitudes 1 month after the interventon, and such decrease varied, depending on the programme which students attended. The current study showed that the 10-week service learning activities significantly increased medical and nursing students' overall knowledge of aging and their understanding of mental health needs in old age, and reduced their negative attitudes toward older adults. However, the effect is not long-lasting. On the other hand, its effect on positive attitudes toward older adults cannot be concluded. Periodic contacts with older adults via service learning activities may be needed to sustain attitude change toward older adults. © 2011 The Author(s).published_or_final_versionSpringer Open Choice, 21 Feb 201

An alternative to a randomised control design for assessing the efficacy and effectiveness of bracing in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the efficacy of bracing for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis have suffered from small sample sizes, low compliance and lack of willingness to participate. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a comprehensive cohort study for evaluating both the efficacy and the effectiveness of bracing in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Patients with curves at greater risk of progression were invited to join a randomised controlled trial. Those who declined were given the option to remain in the study and to choose whether they wished to be braced or observed. Of 87 eligible patients (5 boys and 63 girls) identified over one year, 68 (78%) with mean age of 12.5 years (10 to 15) consented to participate, with a mean follow-up of 168 weeks (0 to 290). Of these, 19 (28%) accepted randomisation. Of those who declined randomisation, 18 (37%) chose a brace. Patients who were more satisfied with their image were more likely to choose bracing (Odds Ratio 4.1; 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 15.0; p = 0.035). This comprehensive cohort study design facilitates the assessment of both efficacy and effectiveness of bracing in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, which is not feasible in a conventional randomised controlled trial.postprin

A Model Testing on Health Literacy, Knowledge about Vitamin D, and Actual Behavior in Sunlight Exposure

Session D05: Research Session: Global Research of Tools to Effect Clinical ChangeConference Theme: Engaging Colleagues: Improving Global Health OutcomesTo test whether health literacy is associated with actual sunlight exposure behavior, we interviewed 648 Chinese adults aged 65 years or older. Using the information–motivation–behavioral skills model and structural equation modeling, we tested how health literacy was associated with the complex relationship among knowledge about vitamin D, attitudes towards sunlight exposure, doctor recommendations regarding sunlight exposure, and actual sunlight exposure behavior. Health literacy was directly associated with sunlight exposure (β = .20, p < .01). Indirect relationships also existed between knowledge and sunlight exposure through health literacy (β = .46, p < .001) and between attitudes and sunlight exposure through health literacy (β = -.12, p < .05). The model had good fit (χ2/df = 2.79; RMSEA = .053, p = .346; CFI = .95; TLI = .92). Health literacy should be considered when educating older adults about vitamin D supplements and sunlight exposure. Providing relevant knowledge or making doctor recommendations might not be effective. Training should be focused on individuals with low health literacy who would be less likely to receive sunlight exposure