4 research outputs found
Associations of the perceived benefits and harms of COVID-19 with confidence in coping with the pandemic and mental health symptoms: a population-based survey in Hong Kong
IntroductionBoth perceived benefits and harms of COVID-19 have been reported, but whether they affect confidence in coping with the pandemic and mental health remains uncertain.ObjectiveTo examine the association of perceived benefits and harms of COVID-19 with confidence in coping with the pandemic and mental health symptoms.MethodsA population-based survey was conducted on 7,535 Hong Kong adults from 22 February to 23 March 2021, when the 4th wave of COVID-19 was under control. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, perceived benefits (10 options) and harms (12 options) of COVID-19, confidence in coping with the pandemic (range 0β10), loneliness (range 0β4), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorders-2, range 0β6) and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-2, range 0β6) was collected. Latent profile analysis was used to identify the combined patterns of perceived benefits and harms of COVID-19. The associations of combined patterns with confidence in coping with COVID-19, loneliness, anxiety, and depression were examined using linear regression (Ξ² coefficient) adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics.ResultsThe combined patterns of perceived benefits and harms were classified into benefit (nβ=β4,338, 59.3%), harm (nβ=β995, 14.0%), and ambivalent (nβ=β2,202, 26.7%) groups. Compared with the ambivalent group, the benefit group had a significantly higher level of confidence (adjusted Ξ² 0.46, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.58), and lower levels of loneliness (β0.35, β0.40 to-0.29), anxiety (β0.67, 0.76 to-0.59), and depression (β0.65, β0.73 to-0.57). The harm group had a significantly lower level of confidence (β0.35, β0.53 to-0.16), and higher levels of loneliness (0.38, 0.30 to 0.45), anxiety (0.84, 0.73 to 0.96), and depression (0.95, 0.84 to 1.07).ConclusionPerceived greater benefit from COVID-19 was associated with better mental health and stronger confidence in coping with the pandemic
Workplace cessation support is associated with more abstinence in a workplace program in Hong Kong: A mixed-methods study
Introduction
We examined the association of workplace smoking cessation (SC)
support from employers, in addition to SC interventions, and smoking abstinence.
Methods
Smoking employees (β₯1 cigarette daily, aged β₯18 years) from companies
of various industries joined a workplace SC program in Hong Kong. Self-reported
past 7-day point prevalence abstinence was measured at follow-up at 6 months.
We assessed 14 types of workplace SC support with higher scores (range:
0β14) indicating greater support. Multivariable logistic regression examined the
prospective association between workplace SC support and smoking abstinence,
adjusting for intention to quit, nicotine dependence, self-efficacy of quitting, and
sociodemographic characteristics. Average marginal effects were calculated to
test if the association between overall workplace SC support and self-reported
past 7-day PPA at follow-up at 6 months was modified by subgroups. We also
interviewed employers from different companies to explore their perspectives of
providing workplace SC support, and the data were analyzed by thematic analysis.
Results
In 383 participants who received a heath talk, a self-help SC booklet, and
15 text messages, greater workplace SC support was associated with smoking
abstinence (AOR=1.32; 95% CI: 1.08β1.61), including support for smoke-free
environment (AOR=1.51; 95% CI: 1.08β2.11) and for SC attempts/actions
(AOR=1.93; 95% CI: 1.21β3.07). The association did not differ by sex, age,
intention to quit, nicotine dependence, company size or company type. Qualitative
interviews found that employers provided workplace SC support to establish a
good company image, cost-benefit considerations were important to the types
of workplace SC support provided, and lack of SC knowledge was a barrier to
providing workplace SC support.
Conclusions
Greater workplace SC support was associated with more abstinence
in a workplace SC program
Associations of changes in smoking-related practices with quit attempt and smoking consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-methods study
Introduction
How changes in smoking routine due to COVID-19 restrictions (e.g.
refraining from smoking outdoors and stockpiling tobacco products) influence
smoking behaviors remains understudied. We examined the associations of
changes in smoking-related practices with quit attempts and smoking consumption
in current smokers using a mixed-methods design.
Methods
In a community-based telephone survey conducted between the second
and third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong, 659 smokers (87.1%
male; 45.2% aged 40β59 years) were asked about quit attempts and changes in
cigarette consumption and five smoking-related practices since the COVID-19
outbreak. Logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratio (AOR),
adjusting for sex, age, education level, chronic disease status, heaviness of smoking
(HSI), psychological distress (PHQ-4) and perceived danger of COVID-19. A
subsample of 34 smokers provided qualitative data through semi-structured
interviews for thematic analyses.
Results
Favorable changes in smoking-related practices, including having avoided
smoking on the street (prevalence: 58.9%) and reduced going out to buy cigarettes
(33.5%), were associated with a quit attempt (AOR: 2.09 to 2.26; p<0.01) and
smoking reduction (AOR: 1.76 to 4.97; p<0.05). Avoiding smoking with other
smokers (50.5%) was associated with smoking reduction (AOR=1.76; p 0.05). Unfavorable changes, including having
increased smoking at home (25.0%) and stockpiled tobacco products (19.6%), were
associated with increased smoking (AOR: 2.84 to 6.20; p<0.05). Low HSI (0β2)
was associated with favorable changes (p<0.01), while high HSI score (3β6) was
associated with unfavorable changes (p<0.01). Qualitative interviews revealed a
double-edged effect of staying at home on smoking consumption and that pandemic
precautionary measures (e.g. mask-wearing) reduced outdoor smoking.
Conclusions
Amid the pandemic, favorable changes in smoking-related practices
in smokers were mostly associated with quit attempts and smoking reduction,
while unfavorable changes were associated with increased smoking. Smokers with
higher nicotine dependence were more negatively impacted