Media Coverage
Media Coverage
Signing of Memorandum of Understanding between School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong and Tzu Chi University
Professor Tai-chu Peng, Professor & Director of Department of Nursing, Tzu Chi University and Professor Chia-Chin Lin, Head of School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation and exchange between the two schools. The memorandum marks the exchange of strengths and experiences of each other.
Professor Chia-Chin Lin said, “Tzu Chi University emphasized medical humanities. We had discussed cooperation and exchange but all were postponed due to the epidemic. We are grateful that the agreement can be implemented now. We will start with short-term student exchange and academic activities communications and explore new collaboration.”
Professor Tai-chu Peng believes that Tzu Chi University can learn from the internationalisation of The University of Hong Kong. She looks forward to seeing more collaborations and exchanges between teachers and students with the international community.
(Commercial Times, ChinaTimes.com – May 15, 2023, TC News – May 16, 2023)
Changes in Breastfeeding Locations
The School of Nursing of the University of Hong Kong launched a free nursery room search app ‘Breastfeeding GPS’ four years ago, the app helps users to search for nearby nursery rooms according to the users’ locations. The Breastfeeding GPS Project Leader Dr Kris Lok, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, shared ideas on designing the app, data analysis and more.
According to ‘Breastfeeding GPS’, a nursery room should equip with the following facilities: separate room, lockable, changing board (no mattress), hand washing amenities, power plug and a seat. The app was available for download in April 2019 and was supported by a government fund aimed to promote breastfeeding and even nursery room staff training for shopping malls.
Currently, there are about 600 nursery rooms in Hong Kong. Dr Lok expressed that it is becoming more convenient when searching for breastfeeding-related facilities and awareness of breastfeeding has improved in these 10 years.
As of March, this year, ‘Breastfeeding GPS’ has been downloaded for more than 9,300 times. Among them, 8,800 users have opened the app for more than 640,000 times. Dr Lok said, ‘To support mothers of different age cohorts, the app can be linked to Facebook, IG and YouTube. We noticed that even many daddies have downloaded the app too!’
(Hong Kong Economic Journal – May 12, 2023)
Sharing Session of the Pilot Scheme of ‘Generations Connect’
A press event for the ‘Generations Connect’ project was held on March 24, 2023, where experiences of the pilot scheme were shared. This project aims to connect the youngsters and older adults through community intervention and behavioural coaching.
The Pilot scheme was launched in November 2022 where nursing students visited over 100 older adults and conducted surveys and assessments of their physical and mental health.
Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee, Professor and Project Director of “Generations Connect”, said, “We observed that the older adults with high level of e-Health Literacy have better physical, psychosocial and mental well-being. As the older population grows, social and medical care demand increases. The pilot study found that among the 70% of older adults who completed the two-week follow-up, the rate of low e-Health Literacy dropped from 66% to 56%, providing initial evidence that the intervention by nursing students is useful in strengthening their e-Health Literacy. In addition, the Project received very positive feedback from the students, who demonstrated a higher level of affective empathy, intellectual empathy and self-efficacy after participation. Nearly 90% of them believe that this experience helped them improve their communication skills with the older adults, become better listeners, and gain better knowledge in health and care for the older adults.”
The two-year ‘Generations Connect’ project was officially launched early 2023, expanding beyond nursing students. Over 1,000 healthcare professional students are expected to participate, providing services to 10,000 older adults and assisting them in adapting to post-pandemic life and taking care of their physical, psychological, and mental health and wellbeing.
(RTHK, Commercial Radio, Sing Tao Headline, HKET, Wen Wei Po, Ming Pao, TVB News – March 24, 2023; Bastille Post – March 27, 2023)
HKU School of Nursing supports tobacco tax increase
The Financial Secretary announced the increase of tobacco tax by about 30% in the 2023-2023 Budget.
Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee comments, ‘Raising tobacco tax is the single most effective measure, which can motivate smokers to quit smoking, preventing relapse among those who recently quit, and deterring youth from smoking initiation. The measure could also reduce healthcare expenditure and productivity loss associated with tobacco use, thereby promoting the sustainable development of public healthcare.’
The Smoking Cessation Research Team at the School of Nursing, HKUMed, has long been generating research evidence and at the forefront of advocating tobacco control policies, including raising tobacco tax. It will continue to generate more research evidence in tobacco control including reducing secondhand smoke exposure among children and the public, as well as other tobacco control policy advocacy.
(RTHK, Metroradio, Wen Wei Po, Ta Kung Pao, Hong Kong Commercial Daily, AM730, HK01, Bastille Post, DotDotNews, Hong Kong Free Press, SCMP – February 22, 2023; The Standard, Oriental Daily News – February 23, 2023; intellasia.net – February 24, 2023)
Nursing students paid visits to the elderly to offer support
Affected by the epidemic, elderly people stay in tiny homes for a long time and are prone to emotional problems. HKU School of Nursing students walked into their homes to understand their needs and offered support including health assessment, basic medical recommendations and electronic technology coaching, which helped the elderly people to obtain the latest information.
Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee believes, ‘This initiative enhances the empathy of students, and at the same time, through communications, the physical and mental health of the elderly can be improved. We hope more elderly can be benefitted from this project."
This “Generations Connect” project will be officially launched in 2023.
(TVB News – December 17, 2022; Now TV – January 23, 2023)
Raising Tobacco Tax to Motivate Smoking Cessation
Dr Kelvin Wang Man-ping, Associate Professor, The School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong attended a press conference organised by Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health (COSH) which urged the Government to raise tobacco tax by 100% from HK$38 to HK$76.
According to COSH’s Tobacco Control Policy-related Survey 2022, most citizens widely supported the tobacco tax increase in next year with a support rate over 70%. Dr Wang said, “Public support for raising tobacco tax next year is high. A double in the current tax to increase retail price of a cigarette pack to about HK $100 would encourage about two-thirds of current smokers to quit or reduce the daily cigarette consumption. Even 60% of current smokers without quit intention or had high nicotine dependence would quit or reduce current cigarette consumption due to increased retail price of cigarettes”.
Together attending the press conference also included Professor Lam Tai-hing, Emeritus Professor and Honorary Clinical Professor, and Dr Daniel Ho Sai-yin, Associate Professor, from School of Public Health at The University of Hong Kong.
(HK01, Ming Pao, on.cc – December 13, 2022; Ming Pao Vancouver, Ming Pao, sina.com.hk, Sing Tao Daily – December 14, 2022, Hong Kong Economic Times – December 15, 2022)
“Generations Connect” Project Brings Young People Together with the Elderly to Boost Emotional Resilience
The School of Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), in collaboration with Sino Group and the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation and charitable organisations and NGOs, announced the launch of the two-year “Generations Connect” Project to bring young people together with the older adults in an initiative that will see nursing students providing community intervention and behavioural coaching. Integrated with the concept of e-health literacy, the Project aims to enhance the physical, psychosocial and mental wellbeing of the older adults amid the epidemic. The Project is supported by Sino Group and the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation. With the target of serving 10,000 elderly people, the Project will commence in November this year with its first phase of pilot services.
Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee, the School of Nursing of HKUMed, said, ‘The young nursing students are dynamic and radiant, and ready to unleash their creativity as they design effective means of communication with the elderly under this programme, which blends curriculum teaching and research. In so doing, the students may contribute not only to building closer ties across generations, but also promoting the physical and mental health of the elderly.’
(The Standard Online, TVB News, Ming Pao Daily Online, Sing Tao Daily Online, HKEJ.com, Inews.Hket.com, Hket.com, wenweipo.com, HK01, Headline.com, Tastymoney.hk, Technow.com.hk, Quamnet, Hong Kong Economic Times – September 29, 2022; on.cc, Wen Wei Po – September 30, 2022)
HKU Researchers Call for Centralised Reporting of Cases of Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE)
Dr Celine Chui, Assistant Professor from HKU School of Nursing and School of Public Health, and Dr Peng Wu, Assistant Professor, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, HKU School of Public Health, attended a press event to call for centralised reporting of cases of Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE), a microbe considered a “superbug” with strong antibiotic resistance.
The HKU team examined the Hospital Authority’s CDARS data from 2008 to 2019 and found that among 23,797 patients who were tested for CPE, 17.9% were tested positive.
The excessive prescriptions and use of antibiotics are the culprits to blame. HKU researchers called for setting up a centralised platform for reporting all CPE cases to tackle the problem.
For the details of the article, please visit:
Press Release
(Now TV, TVB, Commercial Radio, RTHK, SCMP, Ming Pao, Oriental Daily News, HK01, Hong Kong Economic Times, AM730, Sky Post, East Daily – August 29, 2022; RTHK1 Programme “HK Letter”, BastillePost, On.cc, Sing Tao Daily, – September 24, 2022; Oriental Daily News – September 25, 2022; Eastweek – September 28, 2022)
Children’s Palliative Care Service in Hong Kong
Dr Alina Ng, Research Assistant Professor of HKU School of Nursing, wrote an article to educate the public on children’s palliative care service.
The article featured an interview with a service recipient of the children’s palliative care service of Children’s Palliative Care Foundation. The service recipient’s parent was grateful for the referral from the hospital to Children’s Palliative Care Foundation. Through the team of specialty nurses and social workers, personalised and proactive services were provided so the sick children and the family members felt caring and respected. The palliative care team set up an instant message group to help coordinate among the hospital, school, family and NGOs, such as hospital admission, school arrangement, therapy at home, etc. The team also took care of the mental wellness of the family and provided support.
Taking care of sick children is demanding both psychologically and physically; healthcare professionals can act as a bridge between families and various service parties.
For the details of the article, please visit:
https://topick.hket.com/article/3320751/?r=mcsdfb
(TOPick.hket.com – August 8, 2022)
Advice for Elderly Women to Prevent or Manage Incontinence
Incontinence is a common physical problem encountered by older women, which may cause mental stress and affect social life. Studies showed that the number of affected women is two-fold higher than the male counterparts. Besides, overseas studies showed that 30% of women aged 40 or above have incontinence. There are studies targeting the Asian population found that about 60% of women aged over 60 have incontinence. Dr Edmond Choi, Assistant Professor of the School, was invited by the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) to discuss the types and causes of incontinence in women; provide tips on prevention, training, and choosing adult diapers.
For details of the article, please visit:
Age Well 1
Age Well 2
(HKHS – July 28, 2022 and August 23, 2022)
The way to smoking cessation
Dr Kelvin Wang, Associate Professor of HKU School of Nursing, was interviewed on the Now News programme "經緯線" in response to the latest record of the lowest smoking rate in traditional cigarettes in Hong Kong. However, the usage of vapers among teenagers is surging.
He indicated that many reasons lead teenagers to smoke, and it is crucial to know the reasons for smoking to provide a suitable smoking cessation plan. The 16-year HKU Youth Quitline, established by the School of Nursing, has trained more than 500 peer counsellors. Through telephone consultation, these counsellors advise teenagers aged 25 or below to quit smoking. More than 3,200 smokers have used this service, and around 25% stopped smoking.
(Now News – July 10, 2022)
Managing Freezing of Gait in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis
Dr Jojo Kwok, Assistant Professor, had an interview with the Researcher to share her research paper which compared the effectiveness of different behavioural interventions for managing freezing of gait in people with Parkinson’s disease.
The findings concluded that obstacle training, gait training on the treadmill, general exercise, action observation training, and conventional physiotherapy proved immediate real-life benefits in reducing freezing of gait among patients with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease. And the findings also suggested that intervention with high-complexity motor training combined with attentional and cognitive strategy should be further explored.
For details of the article, please visit:
Link
(Researcher – June 28, 2022)
Breastfeeding Friendly Community Initiative Award Ceremony
At the Breastfeeding Friendly Community Initiative Award Ceremony on May 30, corporates were presented with excellence awards for their substantial efforts in cultivating a breastfeeding-friendly culture. At the Ceremony, the 2nd Phase of the “BreastfeedingGPS” App was also launched.
The project leader Dr Kris Lok, Assistant Professor of the HKU School of Nursing, pointed out that the App has been downloaded over 6,500 times and searched 58 thousand times since its launch in September 2020. It once ranked no.3 on the Hong Kong App Store.
Promoting a friendly attitude towards breastfeeding in the community is also essential. The School has trained 1,392 staff in 107 public facilities to facilitate correct information on breastfeeding as of May 2022. Nearly 90% of the participants said they felt more confident in supporting breastfeeding mothers after the training, and about 60% said the programme could significantly increase their knowledge and supportive attitude towards breastfeeding.
(Yahoo News, Sky Post, TOPick, HK01, Ming Pao, On.cc Instant News, ODN – June 1, 2022; HKSAR Government Press Release, HKET – June 2, 2022)
Towards a Tobacco Endgame in Hong Kong
An interview was conducted by RTHK’s morning news programme on May 27, 2022, with Dr Kevin Wang, Associate Professor of HKU School of Nursing. He responded to the government’s approach toward a Tobacco Endgame in Hong Kong.
Dr Wang agreed that a single-digit smoking prevalence rate is encouraging, and the government should continue the efforts to reduce the smoking population. He commented that a one-week trial pack of nicotine replacement therapy sampling is a cost-effective way to assist smokers in quitting smoking. In addition, he advised that the government may expand the non-smoking area in public; increase the pictorial health warnings on cigarette packages; prosecute restaurants which allow diners to smoke, and prohibit the display of smoking products at retail stalls.
For the interview details, please visit:
RTHK Programme on May 27, 2022 (1:06:00 onwards)
(RTHK – May 27, 2022)
HKU School of Nursing Uses Simulation Teaching to Boost Students' Clinical Knowledge and Skills
To nurture and educate nursing students, HKU School of Nursing adopts innovative teaching to enhance students' nursing skills. It provides different learning opportunities for students to care for patients and deal with varying scenarios in a safe environment. The School established Li Shu Fan Medical Foundation Nursing Clinical Skills Laboratory in 2017 and introduced infant and children simulators last year.
During the media event, Dr Kelvin Wang, Associate Professor of the School, introduced the simulators and simulation teaching and indicated that nearly 100 scenarios were designed for the students to learn and practice. In addition, teachers will provide constructive feedback to students by reviewing the recorded simulation learning process.
The innovative and simulation teaching equipped our students to stand on the frontline during the outbreak of the fifth wave of COVID-19, more than 300 students and teachers from the School provided support in the community holding centres, community testing and vaccination centres and Hospital Authority (HA) hotline support centre. Furthermore, with the knowledge and clinical skills learnt from the School, our nursing students collaborated with different disciplinary teams successfully to formulate nursing procedures for patients and provide professional and humanised nursing treatment and rehabilitation arrangements.
(On.cc, Ming Pao Daily, Sing Tao, ODN, HKET, Ming Pao Vancouver, TOPick, HK01, Bastille Post, TVB news, Yahoo News, The Limited Times - May 23, 2022; Ohpama.com – May 25, 2022)
HKU Develops First Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment Prediction Model and Mobil App for Patients to Manager CVD Risk
At a press briefing organised by School of Nursing, School of Public Health, Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, the first Personalized Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment for Chinese (P-CARDIAC) was launched. It is the first artificial intelligence (AI) cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease risk score specifically for Chinese, and the first in-depth prediction model of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) risk in Hong Kong.
Dr Celine Chui, Assistant Professor of School of Nursing and School of Public Health, indicated that the CVD risk in the general public in Hong Kong can be more accurately predicted using P-CARDIAC. Interventional treatment can be carried out targeting to reduce the risk of premature death caused by CVD in Hong Kong by 25%.
At the press briefing, a mobile application for patients to manage CVD risk developed by Department of Medicine (Cardiology), The University of Hong Kong was also launched.
(On.cc, Headline Daily Online, Sky Post Online, Sing Tao Daily, Oriental Daily, am730 – April 01, 2022; Metro Daily – April 28, 2022; www.dotdotnews.com – May 10, 2022; Ming Pao, Line Today Hong Kong – May 16, 2022; IMoney Issue 761 – May 21, 2022, Sing Pao, TOPick.hket.com – May 23, 2022)
HKU School of Nursing Student Provide Nursing Service at Temporary Care Centre
A TV programme “Anti-Epidemic News Express” (防疫速遞) broadcasted on RTHK 32 channel interviewed HKU medical and nursing students, who participated at the Community Isolation Facility.
Ms Irene Ho Oi-ki, a Bachelor of Nursing (Full-time) Year 5 student shared her experience of providing nursing care for the COVID-19 elderly patients at the Choi Wing Road Temporary Care Centre. Besides the nursing services, she took care of the mental health of these patients and their carers by showing empathy and helping to connect the communications between family members. She felt honoured to provide nursing services to the public during the fifth wave of the pandemic. This is a precious opportunity to boost her confidence in serving the community and overcoming challenges in her nursing career.
For full version of interview, please visit:
RTHK 32 on March 25, 2022
(RTHK – March 25, 2022)
Extended Service to Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Community Isolation Facility
During the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, community isolation facility was swiftly set up to meet imminent needs of the elderly COVID-19 patients referred by the Hospital Authority to alleviate pressure of public hospitals.
The medical and nursing team from HKUMed have been supporting the medical service at community isolation facility at Choi Wing Road Sports Centre since February 2022. Beginning from March 21, the service has expanded to Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Community Isolation Facility, which is expected to receive 400 elderly patients.
Some nursing students, who supported the centres, shared their experience of providing daily nursing care to the COVID-19 patients, taking care of patients’ physical and mental health, addressing patients' urgent needs, with a view to relieving the manpower shortage during the pandemic. These students were featured in a video released on March 19, which was then picked up by media outlets.
For full version of video, please visit:
HKUMed Youtube Channel
(HKCD Instant News, Ming Pao Vancouver – March 20, 2022; Ming Pao.com, Kinliu.hk – March 21, 2022)
HKU School of Nursing Join Forces with HKUMed in Community Isolation Facility to Provide Service to Elderly COVID-19 Patients
As the latest outbreak of COVID-19 grips Hong Kong, HKUMed have stepped up to ease the burden on the healthcare system. Since February 2022, our teachers and students have been taking care of elderly COVID-19 patients at the Choi Wing Road Temporary Care Centre.
The Choi Wing Road Temporary Care Centre, set up by the Social Welfare Department of the HKSAR Government at the Choi Wing Road Sports Centre, provides 150 beds for elderly patients from the Hospital Authority, who are waiting for admission or require care while recovering from COVID-19.
The teachers and students are responsible for clinical assessment and patient care. Our Year 5 nursing students at the press briefing expressed their dedication to help the overwhelming healthcare system; to put knowledge into practice by taking care of the patients in needs; and to contribute to the effort in fighting the pandemic.
A temporary care centre would be set up at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in a week time, which would provide 1,000 beds. Medical and nursing teachers and students from HKUMed would also render their support at this centre.
(881903.com, dotdotnews.com, HK01, HKTKWW, Line Today Indonesia, Now News, Oriental Daily News, on.cc, RTHK Instant News, TOPick.hket.com, Wen Wei Po, Yahoo News – February 25, 2022; CRNTT.com, mingpaoCanada.com, news.mingpao.com, Now News, Oriental Daily News, Wen Wei Po – February 26, 2022)
One Hour Waterpipe Smoking Equals to 200 Cigarettes
A feature story conducted by Ming Pao Daily News interviewed Dr Kelvin Wang, Associate Professor of HKU School of Nursing on the health risks of waterpipe smoking.
Dr Wang clarified that water cannot filter the hazardous materials and waterpipe smoking is in fact addictive. The added chemicals and flavors make waterpipe more hazardous and the level of carbon monoxide is three times higher in waterpipe smoking than cigarettes for the same amount of nicotine. Studies have found that the smoke inhaled for one hour of waterpipe smoking is equivalent to 100 to 200 cigarettes. He further indicated that sharing of waterpipe can transmit diseases. Furthermore, waterpipe cannot help quit smoking.
HKU School of Nursing cooperated with Tung Wah Group of Hospitals to launch Hong Kong’s first artificial intelligence chat robot "Dr Wise" on WhatsApp. The chat robot simulates a human response and provides information about smoking cessation. It can also be transferred to a real counselor during office hours to answer questions, if necessary.
(Ming Pao Daily News, Health.mingpao.com – January 3, 2022; Guang Ming Daily - January 17, 2022)
HKUMed Scholars Studied the Relationship between Coping Capability, Family Well-being, and Innovative Family Service in Time of Adversity
At a press conference organised by the Jockey Club SMART Family-Link Project on December 29, 2021, Professor Lam Tai-hing of School of Public Health and Dr Kelvin Wang Man-ping of School of Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong announced the findings of a survey conducted for 7,438 adults between February and March 2021. 53.9% of the respondents reported high coping capability against adversity in their families. Moreover, the coping capabilities positively correlate with age, i.e. the percentage of respondents showing greater coping capabilities against adversity was higher in older age groups than in younger age groups. Those with higher coping capabilities had less anxiety and depressive symptoms and reported to have better personal well-being. Those with lower coping capabilities were less willing to attend family services when having family problems but tend to prefer online emotion and pressure management-related activities organised by social service agencies.
Dr Kelvin Wang Man-ping, Associate Professor of HKU School of Nursing and Co-Investigator of Jockey Club SMART Family-Link Project commented that family members could share burdens and offer mutual support and care for one another.
For full version of press release, please visit:
English version
Chinese version
(Inmedia HK, Yahoo, Epoch Times, Skypost, HK01, Ming Pao, Sing Tao Daily, Commercial Radio, 聯合早報, Ta Kung Wen Wei, Wen Wei Po, RTHK, The Standard, South China Morning Post, Bastille Post, Hong Kong Commercial Daily – December 29, 2021; RTHK, RTHK 3, Ming Pao Daily News, Hong Kong Economic Journal, Oriental Daily News, Sing Tao Daily, Sky Post, South China Morning Post, The Standard, Fin TV, MSN, Line Today, Ming Pao – Jump, Hong Kong Business Times, Epoch Times, Yahoo, On.cc – December 30, 2021)
Mr Leong Cheung, Executive Director, Charities & Community, The Hong Kong Jockey Club (middle); Professor Lam Tai-hing, Principal Investigator of the Jockey Club SMART Family-Link Project (right); and Dr Kelvin Wang Man-ping, Co-Investigator of the Jockey Club SMART Family-Link Project (left)
Health Risks of Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking
Dr Kelvin Wang, Associate Professor of HKU School of Nursing, was interviewed in the TVB programme “時事多面睇” to discuss the health risks of waterpipe tobacco smoking (also known as Hookah Smoking or Shisha Smoking).
He indicated that waterpipe smoking is as hazardous as traditional cigarettes or Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs). He suggested that tobacco tax increment and increase smoking cessation services may help to achieve a smoke-free Hong Kong.
(Jade TV channel 81 – November 10, 2021)
Regulation to Ban the Sale of E-Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs)
Dr Kelvin Wang, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, was interviewed in a TV programme “News Magazine” (新聞透視) broadcasted on Jade TV Channel 81 on October 23, 2021. He debunked the myth and clarified that smoking e-cigarettes and HTPs are as harmful as traditional cigarettes, and agreed the ban of sale of e-cigarettes and HTPs would be an effective way to reduce the smoking population.
(Jade TV channel 81 – October 23, 2021)
The Hazard of Electronic Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs)
Dr Kelvin Wang, Associate Professor of HKU School of Nursing was featured in a RTHK programme “精靈一點” with a counterpart on October 19, 2021 to share the information of the hazard of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs).
Based on a HKU research, e-cigarettes and HTPs are as hazardous as traditional cigarettes, especially to teenagers. Teenagers might be misled that HTPs are healthier than traditional cigarettes. According to the HKU research conducted in 2019, 0.8% and 2.3% of primary and secondary school students had tried e-cigarettes or HTPs respectively.
For full version of videos, please visit:
RTHK on October 19, 2021
(RTHK – October 19, 2021)
HKUMed Finds a Simple Intervention Effective in Helping Fathers-to-be Quit Smoking
The School of Nursing and School of Public Health of LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), in collaboration with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology across seven public hospitals in Hong Kong, found that a quick intervention during regular prenatal visits, which combines brief advice with nicotine replacement therapy sampling and referral to a cessation service, could increase the chance of smoking cessation among expectant fathers by 90% and promote family harmony. The result has been published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Dr Kelvin Wang, Associate Professor, and Dr Kevin Luk, Research Assistant Professor of the School of Nursing, discussed the research findings and advocated that a brief cessation intervention should be given to all expectant fathers as a routine practice in prenatal care.
For full version of press release, please visit:
English version
Chinese version
(am730, etnet.com.hk, Hong Kong Economic Times, Mirage News, Skypost, TOPICK.hket.com, UrbanLife – October 4, 2021; India Education Diary – October 5, 2021)
Debunking the Myths of Electronic Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs)
Dr Kelvin Wang, Associate Professor of School of Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, was featured in a YouTube channel HiEggo (健康旦) on October 2 and 3, 2021 to discuss the difference between electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs), the negative impacts of traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes and HTPs, and debunked some of the myths about smoking, as well as offered useful tips to quit smoking.
For full version of videos, please visit:
HiEggo on October 2, 2021
HiEggo on October 3, 2021
(HiEggo, October 2 & 3, 2021)
The Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society Kowloon’s “Smoking Cessation Program in Workplace” Results Announcement
“Smoking Cessation Program in Workplace” (SCPW) was launched by The Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon, in 2013. The programme aims at promoting a smoke-free workplace and providing outreach smoking cessation services for working adults.
The School of Nursing and School of Public Health of LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong (HKU) were commissioned to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme. A press conference was held on August 27, 2021 to announce the phrase four results.
There were 91 corporates participated in the phrase four programme. 809 smoking employees participated in the study which started in January 2019. Among them, 106 (13.1%) were female and 703 (86.9%) were male. Half of these participants were 30 to 49 years old. Two different smoking cessation counselling services were provided to these smokers: either 1) health talks with personalised WhatsApp communication, or 2) health talks with regular SMS notifications. Telephone counselling and a small booklet were provided for both service groups.
Dr Kelvin Wang, Associate Professor of HKU School of Nursing commented that as of March 2021, the results showed that during the 6 month follow-up, the overall employee quit rate was 20.5%, the rate of reducing smoking was 50.8% and the rate of reducing smoking by at least half was 19.8%. And during the 12 month follow-up, the overall employee quit rate was 25.5%, the rate of reducing smoking was 49.2%, the rate of reducing smoking by at least half was 19.3%. In total, the programme successfully assisted smokers to quit smoking and reduced their smoking rate by 74.7%.
For full version of this press release, please visit:
https://loksintong.org/press-release/detail?id=1032
(Hong Kong Commercial Daily, HK01.com, Oriental Daily News – August 27, 2021, Ta Kung Pao – September 8, 2021)
Latest research on E-cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products
Dr Kelvin Wang, Associate Professor of HKU School of Nursing was featured in a RTHK programme “香港家書” on August 21, 2021, in which he shared the latest research on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTP), as well as the challenges faced by tobacco control.
He pointed out that study by HKU found that smoking e-cigarettes or HTPs would increase the risk of chronic respiratory symptoms in young people such as persistent cough, nasal congestion and phlegm.
For HTPs, two world-first studies conducted by HKU pointed out that the use of HTPs by adult smokers did not help to quit smoking, while the use of HTPs by teenagers might even reduce the chance of quitting.
A HKU survey conducted in 2021 showed that two-thirds of the people supported the total ban on alternative tobacco products. Furthermore, more than 90% of traditional cigarette smokers indicated that they did not want to use HTP in the next 12 months.
Subsequent to the release of this programme, extensive coverage was generated in various media outlets.
For full version of this programme, please visit:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=squAP3CjDZE
(RTHK, Bastillepost, hd.stheadline.com, HK01.com, HKET.com, Metroradio.com, Oriental Daily News, Sing Tao Daily Online - August 21, 2021)
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Electronic Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products
Dr Kelvin Wang, Associate Professor of HKU School of Nursing was interviewed at a Metro Radio programme “健康脈搏” to discuss about the electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs).
He quoted a HKU research on nearly 35,000 secondary school students that the risk of respiratory symptoms for HTP using students was about 50% higher than non-HTP students. Dr Wang commented that this was a significant research published to prove that the damage and risk of HTP were noticeable even within a short period of time.
Dr Wang further mentioned that the toxin found in HTP was higher than that in the traditional cigarette. Furthermore, alternative smoking products, such as HTPs and e-cigarettes, do not help smoking cessation.
(Metro Radio – August 19, 2021)
Part One
Metroradio (Mp3)
Metroradio (Website)
Part Two
Metroradio (Mp3)
Metroradio (Website)
Evidence on escalating risks of respiratory symptoms in adolescent heated tobacco product users
Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health (COSH) held a press conference together with the academia from School of Public Health and School of Nursing of The University of Hong Kong (HKU) on August 3, 2021 to announce the first evidence on escalating risks of respiratory symptoms in adolescent heated tobacco product (HTP) users, which were even higher than those in cigarette smokers.
A research by HKU found that among adolescents who had never used cigarettes, 88% higher risk of persistent respiratory symptoms for at least three months (such as cough, congestion or phlegm) was found in current HTP users versus never HTP users. Also, the risk of persistent respiratory symptoms was 46% higher in exclusive ever HTP users than exclusive ever cigarette users
And according to COSH’s Tobacco Control Policy-related Survey conducted from March to July 2020, only 9.9% of current smokers had an intention to use HTPs but 70.9% of HTP users were dual users of both HTPs and conventional cigarettes. This indicated that HTPs pose more health risks than help quit cigarettes.
Dr Kelvin Wang, Associate Professor of HKU School of Nursing commented that, “Two-thirds of citizens supported a total ban on alternative smoking products including HTPs and e-cigarettes, including 40% of current smokers. And the claims that alternative smoking products help quit smoking was unsubstantiated.”
For a full version of the press release, please visit:
English Version
Chinese Version
(HK01, Now News, RTHK, TOPICK.hket.com, 881903.com – August 3, 2021; Hong Kong Economic Times, Ming Pao Daily News, Sing Pao, The Standard – August 4, 2021; Oriental Daily News - August 6, 2021)
Baby-friendly Community Initiative Program in Hong Kong
Since 2019, the School has been implementing a Baby-friendly Community Initiative Program in Hong Kong. The programme aims to strengthen the public and mothers’ awareness to promote a breastfeeding-friendly attitude. It pioneers a novel new baby care app, which provides timely support and useful information on baby care facilities to mothers to sustain breastfeeding; organise training workshops for mothers and corporates. Dr Kris Lok, Assistant Professor, was interviewed on a TV programme to introduce the programme.
(Hong Kong Open TV (Channel 77), i-CABLE Finance Info Channel – June 12, 2021; i-CABLE News Channel – June 13, 2021)
Implementation of Virtual Simulation (VSim) during Pandemic
Face-to-face classes and clinical practicum were suspended by most universities during COVID-19 pandemic. In order to build up students’ confidence and competence to deliver patient care that meets today’s healthcare needs, the School made use of VSim, an online learning platform, for students to develop their clinical reasoning skills and preparedness for practice. It helped students improve their critical thinking and understanding of the nursing procedures through case studies and simulation scenarios. Besides, the school has purchased six patient simulators. Students can practice their nursing skills with the help of these simulators. Teachers will also review their progress and provide feedback to students during debriefing sessions. So, students can learn from their mistakes and have better preparation for their careers.
(am730, Hong Kong Economic Times, Sing Tao Daily, WenWeiPo, Lion Rock Daily, Sing Tao Instant News, Wen Wei Po Instant News, Headline Daily Instant News, am730 Instant News, Edigest Instant News, Topick.hket.com, HK01 – May 3, 2021)
Use of New Tobacco Products Hits Record High Among Youth Smokers, HKU Youth Quitline Survey Finds
HKU Youth Quitline, the first youth-oriented smoking cessation hotline in Hong Kong, jointly established in 2005 by the School of Nursing and School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health (COSH), held a press conference on April 29. A survey announced at the press conference found that the proportion of Hong Kong young smokers of 25 years old or under who have used new tobacco products (NTPs), such as e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products, has surged to a record high of 85.9% in 2019-2020. Curiosity (51.3%), peer influence (37.3%) and an intention to quit or reduce smoking (21.6%) were the most cited reasons of NTPs use among 485 of the participants.
HKU Youth Quitline urge the Legislative Council to quickly pass the bills proposed by the HKSAR Government to ban all new tobacco products including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. It has proven that peer counselling could change risk behavious of smokers. HKU Youth Quitline will continue to train peer counsellors in helping young smokers to quit smoking.
(RTHK, The Standard Online, TVB News, Now News, Metroradio Instant News, on.cc, Wen Wei Po Online, Headline Daily Online, Sky Post Online, TOPick, HK01, Bastillepost - April 29, 2021; China.huanqiu, SCMP, The Standard, Ming Pao Daily News, Oriental Daily News, Wen Wei Po, Ta Kung Pao, Sky Post, Lion Rock Daily – April 30, 2021)
Jockey Club SMART Family-Link
Dr Kelvin Wang was interviewed in a TV programme “Golden Age Diary” broadcast on Viu TV channel 99 on April 18, 2021, in which he introduced the Jockey Club SMART Family-Link project in particular the service encouraging the elderly to use ICT (Information and communications technology) to communicate with their family.
("Golden Age Diary" on Viu TV channel 99 – April 18, 2021)
“VRehab Generation” Project and Research Sharing held on 5 March 2021
The School has engaged in an evaluation study of a “VRehab Generation” Project developed by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. With the support of the HKU Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering in the development of virtual reality (VR) programmes, a set of VR rehabilitation training programmes, which include physical training, cognitive training, community living skills training and relaxation, have been developed for elders and people with disabilities (PWDs). The VR programmes provides a close-to-reality training environment, which allows service users to break through their physical and environmental constraints, and to participate in rehabilitation training regarding to their progress purposefully and continuously in an enjoyable way. The study demonstrated that a universal set of VR training was feasible and acceptable for local elders and people with disabilities, and reported improvement in upper-limb dexterity and cognitive function of the participants.
For a full version of the press release, please visit:
English Version
Chinese Version
For the project details, please click here (Chinese version).
(Sing Tao Daily News – March 14 & March 21, 2021)
Drinkers are drinking more despite bar closures amid coronavirus pandemic
The Hong Kong Alliance for Advocacy Against Alcohol quoted a survey conducted from April 9 to 23 in 2020 by The University of Hong Kong’s School of Public Health and School of Nursing that 36.8 per cent of 1,501 people reported that they had reduced alcohol consumption resulting from bar closures and social gathering restrictions implemented to suppress the spread of COVID-19. 5.5 per cent of alcohol users reported that they had actually increase in alcohol consumption because of feeling lonely and bored.
The Alliance published a position statement in the Hong Kong Medical Journal to call for government action aimed at reducing alcohol-related damage in the territory.
(SCMP Online, 881903.com, news.rthk.hk – February 1, 2021)
Full-time HKU bachelor of nursing student wish to help ethnic minorities
Omme Kulsoom Akhtar (Kulsoom), a year 3 Pakistani student in the Bachelor of Nursing (Full-time) programme shared her nursing education journey and the reason why she has chosen nursing as her career.
Witnessing the communication barriers between her family and relatives and the hospital staff, Kulsoom decided to study the HKU nursing programme. She wishes to help ethnic minorities when she becomes part of the healthcare profession after graduation.
For a full version of the article, please visit here.
(Ming Pao Daily News, January 11, 2021)
Public Sector Trial Scheme
The special call under the Public Sector Trial Scheme for projects to combat the COVID-19 epidemic has been completed. A total of 63 projects have been approved by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the HKSAR Government with total funding of over $102 million.
The School of Nursing of the University of Hong Kong has taken part in the trial project of a fast-track vented enclosure developed by City University of Hong Kong. Made of breathable protective materials, the enclosure aims to prevent viruses from spreading through air in hospitals, thereby minimising the possibility of cross-infection between medical staff and patients. Professor Janet Wong of the School said, "We are happy to provide a trial site and post-trial comments for the project. We hope the project will further protect the safety of medical staff and benefit the medical sector."
For a full version of the article, please visit here.
HKU study reveals heated tobacco products fail to help smokers quit smoking
Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health (COSH) teamed up with HKU researchers and conducted a local research which found that heated tobacco products (HTPs) could not help smokers quit smoking. A 2018-19 study led by Dr Kelvin Wang, Associate Professor, HKU School of Nursing pointed out that 44% of the surveyed 1,012 smokers who intended to quit using HTPs for smoking cessation. However, the likelihood of successful quitting at six months was not enhanced. In contrast, smokers who used smoking cessation services were 70% more likely to abstain from cigarettes at 6-month follow-up, compared with those who did not use the services. The findings were published in Tobacco Control.
For a full version of the press release, please visit:
English Version
Chinese Version
(881903.com, TVB News, news.mingpao.com, hk.on.cc, topick.hket.com, am730 – December 10, 2020; Ming Pao Daily News, Oriental Daily News, am730, RTHK Radio Programme – Backchat Dec 11, 2020)
New Bachelor of Nursing (Advanced Leadership Track) [BNurs(ALT)]
HKU School of Nursing will launch a new Bachelor of Nursing (Advanced Leadership Track) [BNurs(ALT)] Programme in the academic year 2021/22. The programme allows students 1) to articulate to HKU MBBS programmes with another four years; and 2) to acquire Bachelor of Nursing and Master qualifications in five years, namely Bachelor of Nursing (Advanced Leadership Track) and Master of Nursing (MNurs); or Bachelor of Nursing (Advanced Leadership Track) and Master of Research (MRes).
[Remarks: Details of admissions requirements will be announced in early 2021. Programme information may be available in the website of JUPAS Office in March/April 2021. Amendment fees for change of programme choice may be waived by the JUPAS Office. Subject to the Nursing Council of Hong Kong and HKU Senate’s approval.]
(Oriental Daily News & Sing Tao Daily News – October 31, 2020; Hong Kong Economic Times – November 2, 2020)
Press Conference on “Relationship between Information Sharing and Family Well-being during the COVID-19 Outbreak”
Dr Kelvin Wang, Associate Professor and Co-Investigator of the Project entitled "Relationship between Information Sharing and Family Well-being during the COVID-19 Outbreak” participated at the “Jockey Club SMART Family-Link Project” Press Conference co-organised by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the School of Public Health and the Technology-Enriched Learning Initiatives of The University of Hong Kong on October 20, 2020.
The survey, which interviewed 4,914 people in late May, found that sending or receiving messages on happy/interesting matters related to themselves/their families, daily life matters, showing care and encouragement in family e-chat groups were related to better family communication, greater family harmony and happiness.
Dr Wang said that combatting “anti-pandemic fatigue” was of a top priority. He suggested that the younger generation can spend more time teaching the elderly to learn how to use information technology, especially instant messaging tools during the pandemic with reduced social gatherings.
For a full version of the press release, please visit:
English Version
Chinese Version
As Coronavirus Makes Social Distancing the Norm, Tele-nursing Can Be a Lifeline
Dr Kelvin Wang, Associate Professor, delivered a talk entitled “COVID-19 Pandemic Online Health Information” at the RGC public lecture co-organised by Hong Kong Public Libraries and Research Grants Council of The University Grants Committee on September 12, 2020. Dr Wang indicated that the timeliness, accuracy and trustworthiness of information could facilitate the execution of preventive measures and also lessen the anxiety of the public.
To review the public lecture, please visit here.
For a full version of the article, please visit here.
(Ming Pao Daily News – October 6, 2020)
Mindfulness Yoga Helps Parkinson's Disease (PD) Patients Regain Confidence
Dr Jo Jo Kwok, Assistant Professor, commented that PD patients may experience anxiety and depression symptoms. Since the disease would affect patients’ mobility, they may lose confidence due to misunderstanding and discrimination from people who do not understand their condition.
Her study in 2019 found out that PD patients practicing mindfulness yoga could help improve mobility, and also enhance their ability to cope with negative emotions and maintain positive psychological quality.
Dr Kwok has also developed an online Mindfulness Yoga programme for early and mid-stage PD patients:
For a full version of the article, please visit here.
(Headline, Oct 5, 2020)
As Coronavirus Makes Social Distancing the Norm, Tele-nursing Can Be a Lifeline
Professor Doris Yu, commented on South China Morning Post that the social distancing as a coronavirus control measurement may cause critical health threats to older adults with chronic illnesses.
The closure of non-essential aged care service limited older adults’ access to care. Although various social media platforms were developed to strengthen the patient’s self-care ability, many older adults did not know how to access the service.
Under Professor Yu’s Jockey Club NICE-LINK project, a tele-nursing programme provided prompt tele-based health consultation with tailored written health reminder, a good health response was noted in the subsequent tele-visits.
She advocated the integration of tele-nursing with the health care systems in challenging times during COVID-19.
For a full version of the article, please visit here.
(South China Morning Post – July 31, 2020)
8 Ways to Stay Away from Anxiety
As the outbreak of COVID-19 continues, people are prone to emotional instability, and even stress and anxiety. The School offered tips on psychological well-being.
For a full version of the article, please visit here.
Quit to Win
RTHK Radio Programme, Health Pedia 《精靈一點》, interviewed Dr Kelvin Wang, Associate Professor, to talk about the “Quit to Win” contest and how Chat-based instant messaging support could help smokers to quit. “Quit to Win” Smoke-free Community Campaign is a smoking cessation programme led by the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health (COSH) and co-organised by the School.
Since 2009, Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health has organised the “Quit to Win” Smoke-free Community Campaign in collaboration with the School of Nursing and School of Public Health, HKUMed. The campaign disseminates smoke-free messages through district-based promotion activities and media and provides smoking cessation counselling training. The “Quit to Win” contest engages over 1,000 smokers in quitting every year. The contest includes scientific research to design and evaluate different interventions for smoking cessation in order to provide recommendations to improve the existing smoking cessation services in Hong Kong.
For full version of the programme, please visit:
(RTHK Radio 1 and RTHK TV31 – June 4, 2020)
(From left) Ms Vienna WY Lai, Executive Director of Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health; Dr Kelvin Wang, Associate Professor School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong and the winners of the 8th “Quit to Win” Contest.
Solving the Mystery of Tai-Chi
Dr Patsy Chau, Associate Professor, interviewed by a TV programme, Medicine Online <杏林在線>. The TV programme broadcasted on Now News and ViuTV featuring the School’s AI robot “NAO” demonstrating Tai-Chi to elderly at one of the health talks for the “Healthy Ageing in Public Rental Housing Estates Programme”. Dr Chau indicated that the use of robot could draw older people’s attention and encourage them to do more exercise to achieve healthy ageing.
For a full version of the article, please visit:
Now News
ViuTV
(Now News – May 22, 2020 & Viu TV Channel 99 – May 23, 2020)
Nurturing Smoking Cessation Experts to Support Youngsters and Women to Quit
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) was awarded a gold award of “Hong Kong Smoke-free Leading Company Awards 2019”. Dr William Li, Associate Professor of School of Nursing and Director of Youth Quitline conducted an interview with Master-Insight < 灼見名家>.
HKU is a smoke free campus since 2002 and has been raising awareness of students and employees on tobacco hazards. The School established two smoking cessation hotlines for youngsters aged 25 or below and female smokers in 2005 and 2006 respectively to provide telephone counseling service. More than 2,500 young people and about 600 female smokers used the service. 40% of them have reduced their cigarette consumption in half or successfully quit smoking.
For a full version of the article, please visit here.
(Master-Insight.com – May 18, 2020)
Debunking Myths on Novel Coronavirus Episode 2
Subsequent to the 1st episode about anti-epidemics, the School launched a second video with an emphasis on domestic hygiene and daily life on social media. The video covers the use of bleach and domestic hygiene, and the proper steps for washing hands thoroughly, etc.
For a full version of the article, please visit here.
For a full version of the video, please visit here.
(Sky Post – March 3, 2020)
Debunking Myths on Novel Coronavirus
The School has recently launched a video on social media to debunk myths on novel coronavirus and to provide tips on anti-epidemics. This video was shared virally on social media and was reported in local news, HK01, and in Taiwan, Liberty Times.
The video provided information that one should wash his/her hands first when arriving home, then wash hands again after removing the mask. It is also necessary to wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand rub if the water is not accessible. It is also recommended not to re-use the mask.
There are rumours circulating in the society, in order not to be misled by fallacies, the video aims to distinguish facts from fiction for the general public.
For a full version of the article, please visit here.
(HK01 – February 7 & 8, 2020)
For a full version of the article, please visit here.
For a full version of the video, please visit here.
(Liberty Times - February 12, 2020)
Anti-smoking Groups Call to Raise Cigarettes Price
A press conference hosted by The Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health urged Hong Kong government to increase 100% tobacco tax which raises cigarettes price to nearly HK$100 per pack.
The Council commissioned the School of Public Health and the School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong to conduct a survey during September 2018 to March 2019 and found that almost 80 percent of the 2,000 respondents supported tax increase. 36.4 percent of 280 smokers among the respondents supported an increase while 70.9 percent of all respondents agreed on an annual increase.
RTHK English News
Topick.hket.com
Oriental Daily
The Standard
(RTHK English News, TVB News, Topick.hket.com, Oriental Daily – January 14, 2020; The Standard – January 15, 2020)
Social Media Chat Group makes Hong Kong Family Happier
Dr Kelvin Wang, Associate Professor and a researcher of the survey conducted by Hong Kong Jockey Club Smart Family-Link Project and the School of Public Health of The University of Hong Kong, studied the communication patterns of Hong Kong families from May 24 to June 11, 2019.
The survey, which involved online questionnaires with 644 adults, found that respondents who had at least one family chat group, had a higher level of personal and family happiness than those who had none. The quality of family communication was also better for those with chat group than those without. However, the personal and family happiness levels and the quality of family communication peaked at 11 to 20 messages but dropped when messages received exceeded 20 a day.
For a full version of the article, please visit:
South China Morning Post
RTHK News
i-Cable
HK01
Oriental Daily
WenWeiPo
Headline
SkyPost
(South China Morning Post, RTHK News, i-Cable, HK01, Sing Tao, Ming Pao, Oriental Daily, WenWeiPo, Headline – December 19, 2019; Skypost, The Standard, Sing Tao, HKET, Hong Kong Commercial Daily, am730 – December 20, 2019)
Healthy Ageing for Older People Living in Public Rental Housing Estates
The School of Nursing, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA), organised the Healthy Ageing in Public Rental Housing Estates Programme 2019-2021.
Our teachers and students performed free health assessment for older tenants living in Fortune Estate, Cheung Sha Wan through home visits. We also organised mobile health assessment stations and mini health exhibition about sarcopenia in different public rental estates and HA malls all over Hong Kong.
An article related to this programme was published in AM730 on October 9, 2019.
For a full version of the article, please visit here.
(AM730 – October 9, 2019)
“Chat-based Instant Messaging Support” Could Substantially Enhance Smoker’s Quitting Rate
A press conference on the study conducted by the Smoking Cessation Research Team at the School of Nursing and School of Public Health of LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, to examine whether WhatsApp, an instant messaging app, could be used to help people quit smoking. The study found that “WhatsApp chat support”, combined with brief smoking cessation interventions, could increase the chance of quitting by 60% to 90%. The results may have implications for strengthening existing smoking cessation services. The result has just been published in The Lancet Digital Health.
For a full version of the article, please visit here.
Noise Pollution
Dr Daniel Fong, Associate Professor of School of Nursing, has been interviewed by Apple Daily for his study conducted in 2016 regarding the impact of noise pollution in Hong Kong secondary school students. Among 2,872 students from 13 secondary schools, the ratio of long-term tinnitus (11.7%) and temporary tinnitus (35.6%) was two to three times higher than that of American students.
To prevent adverse impact on health, WHO recommended that the sound level should not exceed 45 decibels.
For a full version of the article, please visit here.
(Apple Daily – September 17, 2019)
Smoking Cessation Program in Workplace
The “Smoking Cessation Program in Workplace” (Programme) press conference was successfully held on July 18, 2019. The Programme, launched in 2013, aims to raise awareness of companies to the importance of supporting staff to quit smoking. The effectiveness of the programme was evaluated by the School of Nursing and School of Public Health, HKU and the results were announced at the press conference.
The third phase of the programme started in January 2017 with a total of 92 corporates enrolled and 801 smokers served. Together with the first and second phases, the entire program has served more than 270 corporates and 2,100 smokers.
The third phase of the program included 2 kinds of interventions: (1) intensive health talk with semi-personalized WhatsApp interaction; and (2) general health talk and regular SMS messages. All service users received self-help booklets and telephone counselling at follow-ups. During a period of 12 months follow-up, the overall quit rate was 22.6%, reduction rate was 46.9%, and reduction rate of daily cigarette consumption by ≥ 50% was 19.4%. The total quit rate and reduction rate reached 69.5% during the aforementioned period.
For a full version of the press release, please visit here.
Research on the Relationship Between Hotter Weather and Suicide
Dr Patsy Chau, Associate Professor of School of Nursing, has been interviewed by South China Morning Post in May 2019 for her research on the relationship between hot weather and suicide among the elderly.
The study reviewed approximately 8,000 suicide cases of residents aged 65 or above from 1976 to 2014, showing that there is a link between higher temperature and higher suicide rate among older people. Based on her findings, recommendations on preventive measures were made.
For a full version of the article, please visit here.
(South China Morning Post – June 1, 2019)
E-cigarette Ban
Dr Kelvin Wang, Director of the Master of Nursing Programme, has been interviewed by China Daily on his view towards the vaping industry. He advocates a total ban on e-cigarettes along with other new tobacco products as he felt that the vaping industry lures teenagers to try the wide range of cool flavours with designer appeal instead of as a substitute to smoking. Setting an age restriction will lead to teenagers to try e-cigarettes secretively.
The survey done in 2016/17 by the School of Nursing and School of Public Health was also quoted in the paper that 8.7 percent of secondary and 1.4 percent of primary school children (grades 4-6) had tried e-cigarettes.
For a full version of the article, please visit here.
(China Daily – May 27, 2019)
HKU School of Nursing invited to join the China Nursing Consortium of Elite Teaching Hospitals
IMG_4863_pr.jpg)
In May 2019, the School of Nursing (the School), LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong has been invited to join the China Nursing Consortium of Elite Teaching Hospitals (the Nursing Consortium). This opens the way for the School to collaborate with eight other distinguished hospitals/nursing departments in the Nursing Consortium to facilitate cooperation and exchange experiences in clinical nursing education and training.
Being the only nursing institution in the Hong Kong SAR as a member of the Nursing Consortium, the School will play a leading role in modernizing nursing residency education in Mainland China and will actively engage in the Nursing Consortium.
For press release, please visit:
Healthy Ageing in Public Rental Housing Estates Promotes Active Ageing
HK01 and Sing Pao published an article on a health talk under the Healthy Ageing in Public Rental Housing Estates Programme 2018/19 co-organised by the Hong Kong Housing Authority and HKU School of Nursing. The article featured over 100 elderly public housing tenants practising Tai-Chi led by the two AI robots of HKU School of Nursing.
The health talk is part of the Healthy Ageing in Public Rental Housing Estates Programme which aimed to promote active ageing among elderly tenants. The programme included a number of health talks on sarcopenia and its prevention organised for older tenants from different Public Rental Housing estates throughout the territory.
The programme started in September 2018 and ended in March 2019. Under the programme, the School also assisted in providing free health assessment for elderly tenants through home visits and setting up mobile health assessment stations in 13 Public Rental Housing Estates in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories, and one of the Housing Authority’s shopping centres. Exhibitions on sarcopenia were held alongside the stations to educate the elderly about the problem and how to prevent falls. According to the Housing Authority, a total of about 6,000 elderly tenants have benefited from various activities under the 2018/19 Programme.
For a full version of the articles, please visit:
HK01
Sing Pao
For press release, please visit:
Chinese version
English version
(HK01 – March 8, 2019 ; Sing Pao – March 13, 2019)
Virtual Reality (VR) in Nursing Education
Now News programme <杏林在線> broadcasted about HKU School of Nursing’s incorporation of Virtual Reality (VR) technology in the nursing education. According to the evaluation results, VR education can demonstrate the enhancement of student’s empathy level. The interview was also broadcasted on Viu TV Channel 99 on February 9, 2019.
For a full version of the programme, please visit:
Now News
(Now News – February 8, 2019; Viu TV Channel 99 – February 9, 2019)
School of Nursing Promotes Healthy Ageing for Older People Living in the Community
The School of Nursing, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Housing Authority, organised the Healthy Ageing in Public Rental Housing Estates Programme 2018/19 starting from September 1, 2018. The programme aims to promote active lifestyles and healthy ageing among older tenants living in public rental estates. Led by an experienced community nurse, our nursing students provided elderly tenants with free health check services and advice on aged-related illnesses. The programme included three parts.
First, it was health checks that were performed at the tenants’ homes in Sai Wan Estate. Second, we set up mobile health assessment stations and mini health exhibition about sarcopenia in different public rental estates to educate tenants. To date the initiative has performed health checks for over 800 elderly and the mini health exhibition has received over 5,000 visitors. Third, we organised health talks about sarcopenia for 600 older tenants from 14 public housing estates in different districts.
The School of Nursing hopes to continue promoting healthy ageing in the community through various events and initiatives such as this.
An article was published on AM730 related to this programme on January 16, 2019.
For a full version of the article, please visit here.
(AM730 – January 16, 2019)
The Effects of Mindfulness Yoga
RTHK (Radio Television Hong Kong) news programme “鏗鏘集” interviewed Dr JoJo Kwok, Research Assistant Professor of HKU School of Nursing on the application and effects of mindfulness yoga in people with Parkinson’s disease. Patients with Parkinson’s disease who participated at Dr Kwok’s research study “Effects of Mindfulness Yoga versus Conventional Stretching and Resistance Training Exercises on Psychological Distress in People with Parkinson’s Disease: a Randomized Controlled Trial” were invited to demonstrate mindfulness yoga and sharing their thoughts. The programme was broadcasted on TVB on December 31, 2018.
(RTHK & TVB – December 31, 2018)
Cigarette Addiction and Smoking Cessation
Dr William Li, Associate Professor of HKU School of Nursing and Director of HKU Youth Quitline was interviewed at a TVB news programme “最強生命線” on the topic – cigarette addiction and smoking cessation for youth. The HKU Youth Quitline and “Quit to Win” Smoke-free Community Campaign collaborated between the School of Nursing and School of Public Health of HKU Faculty of Medicine was featured and successful quitters of the programme were interviewed.
HKU Youth Quitline
“Quit to Win” Smoke-free Community Campaign
For a full version of the programme, please visit here.
(TVB – December 17, 2018)
Clinical Excellence
Ms Susanna Lee, Associate Professor (Nursing Practice), was interviewed at a RTHK radio programme “新紫荊廣場” to discuss her clinical experience in the nursing profession. She shared with the audience about the difference between Registered Nurse and Enrolled Nurse, and introduced different nursing specialties. She also highlighted the core values of CASH (Competence, Attitude, Skills and Heart) for being a nurse.
(RTHK – November 13, 2018)
RTHK radio programme_1.jpg)
RTHK radio programme_2.jpg)
RTHK radio programme_3.jpg)
Improving Survival in Lung Cancer Patients
Professor Chia-chin Lin, Head of the School, in collaboration with HKU Centre for Sports and Exercise(CSE), has undertaken a 12-week pilot programme entitled "Improving Survival in Lung Cancer Patients: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) of Aerobic Exercise and Tai-chi Interventions" to examine the benefits of exercise in late-stage lung cancer patients. During July to September, 2018, 20 late-stage lung cancer patients joined the HKU “Exercise is Medicine” medical referral programme.
At the press conference jointly held by the University Health Services (UHS), the Centre for Sports and Exercise (CSE) and the School of Nursing on November 7, 2018, findings of the pilot exercise programme revealed that exercise led to improvement in cardio-respiratory fitness, functional performance, quality of life, emotional status, and sleep quality. Five cancer patients from the aerobic exercise or Tai-Chi group joined the press conference and told the media how their physical functions improved after joining the exercise programme.
Professor Chia-Chin Lin pointed out that the findings were encouraging. She hopes to help further improve the quality of life of patients suffering from cancer through the exercise programme.
For a full version of the press release, please visit here.
(From right) Dr Grace Loy, Physician of University Health Services; Professor Chia-Chin Lin, Head of School of Nursing; Dr Michael Tse, Assistant Director of Centre for Sports and Exercise, and participants of the 12-week pilot programme.
Professor Chia-Chin Lin revealed the result findings of the 12-week pilot programme.
Support for a Total Ban on E-cigarettes
Dr William Li, Associate Professor, HKU School of Nursing and Director, HKU Youth Quitline, among representatives from relevant sectors, attended a press conference held on October 5, 2018 backing the 2018 Policy Address’s initiative to ban e-cigarettes. A joint statement supporting the enactment of a total ban on e-cigarettes and other new smoking products has been released.
HKU School of Nursing and School of Public Health Help Persons in Custody to Quit Smoking
HKU Faculty of Medicine School of Nursing and School of Public Health, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health (COSH), will conduct a six-month scheme “Quit to Win” to help 15 persons in custody in Lo Wu Correctional Institution and 15 persons in custody in Stanley Prison to quit smoking.
During the six months “Quit to Win” Smoke-free Community Campaign, participants will be followed up with counselling and carbon monoxide breath test.
The “Quit to Win” Smoke-free Community Campaign aims to motivate smokers to quit smoking and understand the smoking hazards. For information, please visit here.
HKU School of Nursing Establishes Academic Elite Scholarship in Nursing
The School of Nursing has established the “Academic Elite Scholarship in Nursing” (the Elite Scholarship) to motivate high calibre students to maintaining an outstanding level of academic excellence over their 5-year study.
Starting from the academic year 2018-19, students who have obtained a HKDSE score of 28 or above would be awarded a scholarship of the value equivalent to the full tuition fees of their first year of study. If the student continues to achieve outstanding academic performance in subsequent study years, he/she will also be awarded a scholarship of the value equivalent to the tuition fees of the prevailing year.
Concurrently, awardees of the Elite Scholarship will also be awarded HK$21,000 under the “Entrance Scholarship in Nursing” (Entrance Scholarship) established since 2016. Students who have obtained a HKDSE score of 27 will be awarded HK$10,000. Students will be awarded a scholarship value of up to a maximum of HK$231,500 if he/she is able to demonstrate academic excellence throughout their study.
For a full version of the press release, please visit here.
HKU Youth Quitline Smoking Cessation Hotline Helps Youths Quit Smoking, Reduce Risk Behaviours and Promote Physical and Psychological Health
Since its establishment in 2005, the first Hong Kong youth-oriented smoking cessation hotline “Youth Quitline” operated by the Smoking Cessation Research Team of the School of Nursing in collaboration with the School of Public Health of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the Department of Social Work and Social Administration of HKU and the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health aims to raise awareness of smoking cessation service among young people in Hong Kong and to provide free-of-charge smoking cessation service to youth smokers.
A press conference was held on May 31, 2018 to announce the phase four findings of the hotline service (December 1, 2016 – March 31, 2018). The “Youth Quitline” has helped over one-fifth of the participants who have joined the service for 6 months to quit smoking. The quit rate is about 3% higher than that of the previous phase. The hotline also helped participants reduce risk behaviours and promote physical and psychological health.
Dr William Li Ho-cheung, Associate Professor of School of Nursing, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, HKU and Director of the “Youth Quitline” Programme, hopes to further strengthen the training on the areas of coping skills for managing emotions and healthy lifestyle in the counsellor training programme.
For a full version of the press release, please visit here.
HKU School of Nursing held the 6th Serena Yang Lecture and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signing Ceremony with New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing
The School of Nursing held the 6th Serena Yang Lecture entitled “What is Old is New: Trends for Nursing in Global Aging” on May 30, 2018. Professor Eileen Sullivan-Marx, Dean and Erline Perkins McGriff Professor of Nursing of NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing and President-Elect of American Academy of Nursing is an internationally renowned nursing expert, who examined what are the current best practices in the care of older adults and what still needs to be done or applied to ensure the best care for ageing communities and families in society.
A Signing Ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with New York University (NYU) Rory Meyers College of Nursing was held before the Opening Ceremony of the 6th Serena Yang Lecture. The MoU outlines the academic cooperation and research collaboration between the two Schools, which helps the School to nurture our nursing students as a global leader with increased international mobility and widened global exposure.
For a full version of the press release, please visit here.
Youth Quitline Press Conference for Achievements and Smoking Cessation Research Findings
The School’s smoking cessation hotline “Youth Quitline” was established in 2005, which is the first youth-oriented smoking cessation hotline in Hong Kong. The Youth Quitline Press Conference for reporting the achievements of Youth Quitline, the latest findings of the research and the use of electronic cigarettes in the past three years was held on November 10, 2016. The speakers included Dr William Li Ho-Cheung, Project Director of the “Youth Quitline” and Associate Professor of School of Nursing, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, HKU, Prof. Lam Tai-Hing, Sir Robert Kotewall Professor in Public Health and Chair Professor of Community Medicine, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, HKU and Ms Vienna Lai, Executive Director, Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health.
“Youth Quitline” aims to raise the awareness of smoking cessation service among young people in Hong Kong and to provide free of charge smoking cessation service to youth smokers. It also aims to provide training to young people as peer smoking cessation counsellors. All these are always done together with vigorous research and evaluation to improve the Quitline service and generate new knowledge and evidence to support tobacco control.
For a full version of the press release, please visit：here
HKU Finds Adventure-based Physical Training is Beneficial to Children’s Cancer Survivors
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In view of the new medical breakthrough for cancer screening and treatment, most of the children patients can be fully recovered by suitable treatments. However, cancer itself and its treatment will pose adverse long-term effects to the survivors both psychologically and physically, e.g. they will feel fatigued easily, with decreased physical strength and endurance. Their quality of life will be affected and they tend to do less physical activity, which will, in turn, further decrease their muscle strength and endurance, leading to poorer health. Nevertheless, there is a growing concern about declining levels of physical activity among children’s cancer survivors. Researchers from the School of Nursing, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong found that adventure-based physical training can help these survivors to build up their confidence and habits in doing regular physical activities. For a full version of the press release, please visit here. |
HKU Youth Quitline Appreciates Peer Smoking Cessation Counsellors in the 10th Anniversary Celebration Ceremony
The youth-oriented smoking cessation hotline “Youth Quitline” was jointly established by the Smoking Cessation Research Team of School of Nursing and School of Public Health of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, the Department of Social Work and Social Administration of HKU and the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health in 2005. “Youth Quitline” has been funded by the Tobacco Control Office of the Department of Health since October 2011 to help youth smokers quit smoking. “Youth Quitline” marks the tenth anniversary in 2015 and will continue to provide smoking cessation quitline service to youth smokers in the community and organise training programmes for nurturing young people to become peer smoking cessation counsellors.
For a full version of the press release, please visit here.
Diabetes Risk Score Smartphone Application (DRS App)
The School of Nursing has a new initiative for promoting public awareness on diabetes. This project was titled “Diabetes Risk Score smartphone application (DRS app): its application in diabetes prevention and health education” and funded by the Knowledge Exchange (KE) Funding Exercise 2013/14. Different departments worked together for this event and a media conference was held on 27 August 2014. Lots of positive comments about this project were received. Many users indicated that this tool was a non-threatening tool and they were happy in receiving individualized health educational advice through the app. This project is very successful especially in promoting public awareness on diabetes.
Impact of Cessation of Complementary Infant Formula in Public Hospitals on the Duration and Exclusivity of Breastfeeding Research Findings
Baby-friendly practices in public hospitals are steadily improving – Despite dwindling resources and manpower. In Hong Kong, in 2011 change in formula policy directly resulted in additional 88/1000 breastfeeding infants breastfed to 3 months; and an additional 46/1000 breastfeeding infants exclusively breastfed to 3 months. It was found that infant formula supplementation is one of the factors most strongly associated with early weaning from breastfeeding. The provision of free infant formula to hospitals by infant formula manufacturers has been a very effective marketing strategy for their products. When hospitals provide infant formula to new mothers, there is an implied endorsement by the hospital and the health-care provider of both the infant formula product itself and the specific brand that the hospital is providing. When institutions pay market value for infant formula products, there is more incentive to only provide formula when medically indicated.
Researchers from the School of Nursing, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong conducted a study to assess the impact of adopting a policy of paying market price for infant formula in public hospitals on infant formula supplementation rates and breastfeeding outcomes. Figures of 2006-07 and 2011-12 study were compared and examined. The amount of infant formula given to breastfeeding babies in the hospital was reduced by more than 50%. The percent of breastfeeding babies breastfed exclusively during the entire hospital stay (48 hours) increased from 17.1% to 41.5% from 2006 to 2012 – more than double. Overall, mothers in 2011-12 were 25% less likely to stop breastfeeding at any time point in the first 6 months. The average duration of breastfeeding increased from 8 weeks to 11 weeks.