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BACKGROUND: This study aimed to clarify medical-nonmedical difference on the relationship between social capital, mental health and digital health literacy of university students in China, and furtherly provide evidence-based suggestions on the improvement of the digital health literacy for the university students. METHODS: The snowball sampling method was used to collect data from the university students (including medical students and nonmedical students) through online questionnaires, and finally 1472 university students were included for the data analysis, of whom, 665 (45.18%) were medical students, 807 (54.82%) were nonmedical students; 462 (31.39%) were male, 1010 (68.61%) were female. Mean value of the age was 21.34 ± 2.33 for medical students vs. 20.96 ± 2.16 for nonmedical students. Descriptive analysis, chi-square test analysis, one-way Analysis of Variance (conducted by SPSS) and structural equation modeling (conducted by AMOS) were employed to explore the difference on the relationship between social capital, mental health and digital health literacy between the medical students and nonmedical students. RESULTS: The mean value of the digital health literacy was 36.27 (37.33 for medical students vs. 35.39 for nonmedical students). The SEM analysis showed that there was a statistically positive correlation between social capital and digital health literacy (stronger among the nonmedical students (0.317) than medical students (0.184)). Mental health had a statistically positive impact on the digital health literacy among medical students (0.242), but statistically significant correlation was not observed in nonmedical students (0.017). Social capital was negatively correlated with the mental health for both medical students and NMS (stronger among the nonmedical students (0.366) than medical students (0.255)). And the fitness indices of SEM were same between medical students and nonmedical students (GFI = 0.911, AGFI = 0.859, CFI = 0.922, RMSEA = 0.074). CONCLUSION: The digital health literacy of the university student was relatively high. Both social capital and mental health could exert a positive effect on digital health literacy, while social capital was found to be positively associated with mental health. Statistical difference was found between medical students and nonmedical students on the above correlations. Implications were given on the improvement of the digital health literacy among university students in China.
Sujet(s)
Compétence informationnelle en santé , Santé mentale , Capital social , Étudiant médecine , Étudiants , Humains , Femelle , Chine , Compétence informationnelle en santé/statistiques et données numériques , Mâle , Étudiants/psychologie , Étudiants/statistiques et données numériques , Jeune adulte , Universités , Étudiant médecine/psychologie , Étudiant médecine/statistiques et données numériques , Enquêtes et questionnaires , Analyse multiniveaux , Adulte , AdolescentRÉSUMÉ
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1294183.].
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BACKGROUND: Driven by the accelerated aging of the population of China, the number of older adults has increased rapidly in the country. Meanwhile, following children, migrant older adults (MOA) have emerged as a vulnerable group in the process of fast urbanization. Existed studies have illustrated the association between social support and loneliness and the relationship between sleep disturbance and loneliness; however, the underlying mechanisms and the migrant-local difference in the association between social support, sleep disturbance, and loneliness have not been identified. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to clarify the migrant-local difference in the relationship between social support, sleep disturbance, and loneliness in older adults in China. METHODS: Multistage cluster random sampling was used to select participants: 1205 older adults (n=613, 50.9%, MOA and n=592, 49.1%, local older adults [LOA]) were selected in Weifang City, China, in August 2021. Loneliness was assessed with the 6-item short-form University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, social support was evaluated with the Social Support Rating Scale, and sleep disturbance was measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The chi-square test, t test, and structural equation modeling (SEM) were adopted to explore the migrant-local difference between social support, sleep disturbance, and loneliness among the MOA and LOA. RESULTS: The mean score of loneliness was 8.58 (SD 3.03) for the MOA and 8.00 (SD 2.79) for the LOA. SEM analysis showed that social support exerts a direct negative effect on both sleep disturbance (standardized coefficient=-0.24 in the MOA and -0.20 in the LOA) and loneliness (standardized coefficient=-0.44 in the MOA and -0.40 in the LOA), while sleep disturbance generates a direct positive effect on loneliness (standardized coefficient=0.13 in the MOA and 0.22 in the LOA). CONCLUSIONS: Both MOA and LOA have a low level of loneliness, but the MOA show higher loneliness than the LOA. There is a negative correlation between social support and loneliness as well as between social support and sleep disturbance among the MOA and LOA (MOA>LOA), while loneliness is positively associated with sleep disturbance in both populations (MOASujet(s)
Troubles de la veille et du sommeil
, Population de passage et migrants
, Enfant
, Humains
, Sujet âgé
, Études transversales
, Solitude
, Chine/épidémiologie
, Troubles de la veille et du sommeil/épidémiologie
, Soutien social
, Sommeil
RÉSUMÉ
BACKGROUND: The number of migrant older adults with children (MOAC) in China has been increasing in recent years, and most of them are women. This study aimed to explore the mediating effect of social support between social integration and loneliness among the female MOAC in Jinan, China. METHODS: In this study, 418 female MOAC were selected using multi-stage cluster random sampling in Jinan, Shandong Province, China. Loneliness was measured by the eight-item version of the University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (ULS-8), and social support was measured by The Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). Descriptive analyses, t-tests, ANOVA, and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to illustrate the relationship between social integration, social support, and loneliness. RESULTS: The average scores of ULS-8 and SSRS were 12.9 ± 4.0 and 39.4 ± 5.9 among female MOAC in this study. Social integration and social support were found to be negatively related to loneliness, and the standardized direct effect was -0.20 [95% CI: -0.343 to -0.068] and -0.39 [95% CI: -0.230 to -0.033], respectively. Social support mediated the relationship between social integration and loneliness, and the indirect effect was -0.16 [95% CI: -0.252 to -0.100]. CONCLUSION: The female MOAC's loneliness was at a relatively lower level in this study. It was found that social integration was negatively associated with loneliness, and social support mediated the relationship between them. Helping female MOAC integrate into the inflow city and improving their social support could be beneficial for alleviating their loneliness.
Sujet(s)
Population de passage et migrants , Humains , Femelle , Sujet âgé , Mâle , Solitude , Soutien social , Plan de recherche , Insertion sociale , Chine/épidémiologieRÉSUMÉ
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to analyze the current status, the research hot spots and frontiers of cognitive impairment (CI) on old adults from 2012 to 2022 based on Web of Science (WoS) and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) via CiteSpace, and provide new in-sights for researchers. METHODS: The articles regarding the old adults' CI in the WoS and CNKI were retrieved from 2012 to 2022. CiteSpaceV.6.1.R4 was used to generate network maps. RESULTS: Four thousand seven hundred thirteen publications and 304 publications from CNKI were retrieved. Overall, from 2012 to 2022, the trend of articles published in WoS and CNKI were increasing. Data from WoS showed that USA, University of California, Petersen RC were the most influential country, institution and author respectively; Folstein MF, Neurology and a diagnosis guideline of mild CI were the most cited author, journal and reference separately; while the keywords of CI could be summarized in 3 aspects: related disease and symptom, risk factors, manifestations. Data from CNKI illustrated that Peking Union Medical College, Dan Liu were the most influential institution and scholar respectively, while the keywords of CI could be summarized in 3 aspects: related disease and symptoms, risk factors, intervention. CONCLUSION: Articles published on old adults' CI were drawing an increasing amount of attention from 2012 to 2022 both in WoS and CNKI. Keywords of CI in WoS and CNKI both focused on risk factors, related disease and symptom, yet WoS contributed more to the mechanism and CNKI contributed more to the intervention.
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INTRODUCTION: Few studies have examined the life satisfaction of migrant older adults with children (MOAC), who emerged due to rapid urbanization and population aging in China. This study aimed to explore the chain mediating effect of mental health and sleep quality on the association between social support and life satisfaction among MOAC in Weifang, China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using multi-stage cluster random sampling, and 613 participants were included. The Social Support Rating Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Scale with Life Satisfaction were used to measure the social support, mental health, sleep quality, and life satisfaction of MOAC, respectively. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and ANOVA were used to explore the relationship between sociodemographic variables and life satisfaction. Pearson's correlation analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were conducted to investigate the association between social support, mental health, sleep quality, and life satisfaction. RESULTS: The mean total SWLS score was 27.87±5.58. SEM analysis demonstrated that social support had a positive effect on life satisfaction (ß= 0.197). Mental health and sleep quality partially mediated the association between social support and life satisfaction (95% CI: 0.083-0.193), and the mediating effect accounted for 39.198% of the total effect. CONCLUSION: Life satisfaction was relatively high, and mental health and sleep quality partially mediated the association between social support and life satisfaction. Policy suggestions were provided based on these results.
Sujet(s)
Santé mentale , Population de passage et migrants , Humains , Sujet âgé , Qualité du sommeil , Études transversales , Soutien social , Satisfaction personnelle , Chine/épidémiologie , Qualité de vie/psychologieRÉSUMÉ
Introduction: Studies have shown that the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to long-term health problems; therefore, more attention should be paid to the mental health of university students. This study aimed to explore the longitudinal effects of preventive behaviors and psychological resilience on the mental health of Chinese college students during COVID-19. Methods: We recruited 2,948 university students from five universities in Shandong Province. We used a generalized estimating equation (GEE) model to estimate the impact of preventive behaviors and psychological resilience on mental health. Results: In the follow-up survey, the prevalence of anxiety (44.8% at T1 vs 41.2% at T2) and stress (23.0% at T1 vs 19.6% at T2) decreased over time, whereas the prevalence of depression (35.2% at T1 vs 36.9% at T2) increased significantly (P < 0.001). Senior students were more likely to report depression (OR = 1.710, P < 0.001), anxiety (OR = 0.815, P = 0.019), and stress (OR = 1.385, P = 0.011). Among all majors, medical students were most likely to report depression (OR = 1.373, P = 0.021), anxiety (OR = 1.310, P = 0.040), and stress (OR = 1.775, P < 0.001). Students who wore a mask outside were less likely to report depression (OR = 0.761, P = 0.027) and anxiety (OR = 0.686, P = 0.002) compared to those who did not wear masks. Students who complied with the standard hand-washing technique were less likely to report depression (OR = 0.628, P < 0.001), anxiety (OR = 0.701, P < 0.001), and stress (OR = 0.638, P < 0.001). Students who maintained a distance of one meter in queues were less likely to report depression (OR = 0.668, P < 0.001), anxiety (OR = 0.634, P < 0.001), and stress (OR = 0.638, P < 0.001). Psychological resilience was a protective factor against depression (OR = 0.973, P < 0.001), anxiety (OR = 0.980, P < 0.001), and stress (OR = 0.976, P < 0.001). Discussion: The prevalence of depression among university students increased at follow-up, while the prevalence of anxiety and stress decreased. Senior students and medical students are vulnerable groups. University students should continue to follow relevant preventive behaviors to protect their mental health. Improving psychological resilience may help maintain and promote university students' mental health.
Sujet(s)
COVID-19 , Résilience psychologique , Étudiant médecine , Humains , COVID-19/épidémiologie , COVID-19/prévention et contrôle , Dépression/épidémiologie , Dépression/prévention et contrôle , Universités , Études longitudinales , Pandémies , Stress psychologique/épidémiologie , Anxiété/épidémiologie , Chine/épidémiologieRÉSUMÉ
Purpose: Focusing on the life satisfaction of the migrant elderly following children (MEFC) is of great theoretical and practical significance. We aimed to examine the effect of self-reported oral health on life satisfaction among the MEFC in Weifang, China, and to further explore the mediating role of social support on the relationship between self-reported oral health and life satisfaction. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey for 613 participants using multi-stage random sampling in Weifang, China, in August 2021. The Social Support Rating Scale was used to assess social support for the MEFC. We used the Chinese version of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) to evaluate self-reported oral health. We assessed life satisfaction for the MEFC via the Satisfaction with Life Scale. The data were scrutinized through descriptive analysis, a chi-square test, a t-test, Pearson correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results: The mean GOHAI, social support, and life satisfaction scores were 54.95 ± 6.649, 38.89 ± 6.629, and 27.87 ± 5.584, respectively. SEM analysis indicated that the self-reported oral health of the MEFC exerts a positive effect on life satisfaction and social support, and social support has a positive and direct effect on life satisfaction. Social support partially mediates the association between self-reported oral health and life satisfaction (95% confidence interval: 0.023-0.107, P < 0.001), with its mediating effect accounting for 27.86% of the total effect. Conclusion: The mean score of life satisfaction was 27.87 ± 5.584 among the MEFC in Weifang, China, suggesting relatively high life satisfaction. Our findings underscore an empirical association between self-reported oral health and life satisfaction and imply that social support mediates this relationship.
Sujet(s)
Santé buccodentaire , Population de passage et migrants , Sujet âgé , Humains , Enfant , Autorapport , Études transversales , Soutien social , Chine , Satisfaction personnelleRÉSUMÉ
Purpose: With the development of the internet, digital health literacy (DHL) has become increasingly important for managing health. Consequently, various digital health literacy scales have been created for different groups. The purpose of this study was to verify the reliability and validity of the simplified Chinese version of the Digital Health Literacy Assessment (DHLA) scale among university students in China. Method: Snowball sampling was used to recruit the participants via an online platform (Wenjuan.com), and finally 304 university students were included in the survey. Demographic information and the status of DHL were collected through the online questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha and split-half reliability were used to test the internal consistency of the scale, while the structural validity was verified by exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Additionally, the convergence of the scale was tested by composite reliability (CR) and average variance extracted (AVE). Result: Two dimensions were generated from 10 entries in the scale, named Self-rated Digital Health Literacy and Trust Degree of Online Health Information, respectively. The Cronbach's alpha and split-half reliability of the total scale were 0.912 and 0.828, while the Cronbach's alpha of the two dimensions were 0.913 and 0.830, respectively. The structural validity-related indexes of the scale met the standards (RMSEA = 0.079, GFI = 0.943, AGFI = 0.902, CFI = 0.971). In each dimension, the CR and AVE also reached critical values (CR > 0.7 and AVE > 0.5). Conclusion: The scale had high reliability and validity, indicating the simplified Chinese DHLA scale could be used to evaluate the DHL of university students in China.
Sujet(s)
, Étudiants , Humains , Reproductibilité des résultats , Universités , Psychométrie , ChineRÉSUMÉ
BACKGROUND: Driven by population aging and the rapid urbanization in China, many migrant elderly following children (MEFC) moved to big cities to care for their grandchildren. The purpose of this study is to clarify the mediating effect of social support on the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and self-reported oral health status among the MEFC in Weifang, China. METHODS: Multistage cluster random sampling was used to select the participants and finally 613 MEFC were included in the survey. The Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) and the Chinese version of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) scale were used for data collection. Descriptive analysis, Rao-Scott test, t-test and structural equation modeling (SEM) were conducted in this study. RESULTS: Mean score of GOHAI of the MEFC was 54.95 ± 6.47. The SES of MEFC exerted positive direct effect both on social support (standardized coefficient = 0.15) and self-reported oral health status (standardized coefficient = 0.22); social support exerted positive direct effect on self-reported oral health status (standardized coefficient = 0.17). Social support partially mediated the association between SES and self-reported oral health status [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.003-0.064, P < 0.05], and the mediating effect of social support accounted for 12.0% of the total effect. CONCLUSIONS: Higher GOHAI score of MEFC indicated their better self-reported oral health status. MEFCs' SES could exert positive effect both on social support and self-reported oral health status, while the mediating effect of social support between SES and self-reported oral health status of MEFC was established.
Sujet(s)
Santé buccodentaire , Population de passage et migrants , Enfant , Humains , Sujet âgé , Études transversales , Autorapport , Classe sociale , Chine/épidémiologie , Soutien socialRÉSUMÉ
This study explored the relationship between health service utilization, informal social support and depression, anxiety and stress among the internal migrant elderly following children (IMEFC) in Weifang, China. A total of 613 IMEFC were selected using multistage cluster random sampling. The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) was used to assess the depression, anxiety and stress of the IMEFC. Descriptive analysis and univariate and binary logistic regression analyses were used to clarify the correlation between health service utilization and social support and depression, anxiety and stress of the IMEFC. The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress of the IMEFC was 6.9%, 7.7% and 3.4%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that the IMEFC who having financial stress on medical costs were more likely to feel depressed than those haven't financial stress on medical costs (OR = 6.557), while those unemployed and having no income were less likely to feel depressed than those employed (OR = 0.262), having children support were less likely to feel depressed than those haven't children support (OR = 0.257) and having comfort support were less likely to feel depressed than haven't comfort support (OR = 0.018). Trans-city migration were more likely to feel anxious than trans-county migration (OR = 3.198), having outpatient service were more likely to feel anxious than haven't experienced inpatient service (OR = 3.818), having financial stress on medical costs were more likely to feel anxious than haven't financial stress on medical costs (OR = 3.726), while having children support were less likely to feel anxious than haven't children support (OR = 0.198). Those who migrate to cure disease or rehabilitation were more likely to feel stressed than those migrated to taking care of grandchildren (OR = 12.702) and having financial stress on medical costs were more likely to feel stressed than haven't financial stress on medical costs (OR = 32.155), while having children support were less likely to feel stressed than haven't children support (OR = 0.055) and having economic support in troubles were less likely to feel stressed than haven't economic support in troubles (OR = 0.012). More effective measures should be taken to improve the accessibility and efficiency of cross-regional health insurance reimbursement, and family members should spend more time with the IMEFC to lower their psychological tension in a new environment.
Sujet(s)
Anxiété , Dépression , Enfant , Humains , Sujet âgé , Dépression/psychologie , Anxiété/épidémiologie , Anxiété/psychologie , Soutien social , Chine/épidémiologie , Services de santéRÉSUMÉ
Few studies have focused on the sleep quality among migrant elderly following children (MEFC). This study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic disease and mental health on the sleep quality of MEFC in Weifang, China. A cross-sectional study was conducted by multi-stage cluster random sampling, and in total 613 participants were enrolled. Sleep quality and mental health were assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), respectively. Chronic disease was assessed by the question "how many chronic diseases do you have?" A descriptive analysis and chi-square test were used to describe participants' sociodemographic variables, chronic disease, mental health, and sleep quality. The relationship between chronic disease, mental health, and sleep quality was explored by establishing binary logistic regression models. The results showed that 18.3% of MEFC's sleep quality was poor. MEFCs who were male were more likely to report good sleep quality. MEFCs who have similar monthly family income compared with others around, with multimorbidity, depression, and anxiety were more likely to report poor sleep quality. Nearly 1/5 of MEFCs were having poor sleep quality in this study. Results indicated that chronic diseases, depression, and anxiety were risk factors for the sleep quality of MEFC. Implications for the government, communities, and families of MEFC were given for improving their sleep quality.
Sujet(s)
Santé mentale , Troubles de l'endormissement et du maintien du sommeil , Sujet âgé , Anxiété/épidémiologie , Anxiété/psychologie , Enfant , Chine/épidémiologie , Maladie chronique , Études transversales , Dépression/épidémiologie , Dépression/psychologie , Femelle , Humains , Mâle , Prévalence , Sommeil , Qualité du sommeilRÉSUMÉ
As urbanization is growing quickly in China, many migrant elderly following children (MEFC) migrate to big cities to care for their grandchildren (grandchildren of MEFC=GMEFC). This study aimed to explore the effects of the living environment, health statuses of family members, and MEFC's attitude regarding the care of their children (children of MEFC=CMEFC) for their GMEFC on GMEFC's health statuses in Weifang, China. Multistage cluster random sampling was used to select the participants, and 613 MEFC were included in total. Descriptive analysis, univariate analysis and binary logistic regression were used to investigate the association between the related variables and GMEFC's health statuses. It was found that 74.9% of the GMEFC had excellent health statuses. The GMEFC who had siblings, the CMEFC with excellent health statuses, and the MEFC with excellent health statuses were more likely to have excellent health statuses. Moreover, the GMEFC who were female, elevators occasionally malfunctioned, the MEFC who were dissatisfied with the CMEFC's time spent on caring, and the MEFC who did not understand or forgive the CMEFC's limited time on caring were less likely to have GMEFC with excellent health statuses. The results indicated that a better living environment, better health statuses of family members, and a positive attitude of the MEFC regarding the care of CMEFC for GMEFC would result in a better health status of GMEFC.
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BACKGROUND: With the accelerated urbanization and aging population in China, more and more migrant older with children (MOC) moved to new cities. Previous studies mainly explored the acculturation of MOC, yet few focused on the health conditions of this vulnerable group. This study aimed to investigate the effects of oral health and social support on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of MOC in Weifang, China. METHOD: This study was a cross-sectional study and participants were selected by multi-stage cluster random sampling in Weifang, China. The HRQOL was assessed via the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) which included the mental component summary (MCS) and the physical component summary (PCS). The oral health was evaluated by the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). The social support was administered using the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). Descriptive analysis was used to describe participants' sociodemographic variables, oral health and social support. Univariate analysis and binary logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between the social support, oral health and HRQOL. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: It was found that 25.0% of MOC were defined as MCS poor and PCS poor, respectively. Those participants with average and low monthly household income compared to those around them, average and poor oral health, and low levels of social support were more likely to have poor PCS. Those with temporary residence permits, fair and poor oral health, and medium and low levels of social support were more likely to report poor MCS. CONCLUSION: Results indicated that better social support and oral health led to higher HRQOL of MOC. Implications for the government, communities and families of MOC were given to improve their HRQOL.
Sujet(s)
Qualité de vie , Population de passage et migrants , Sujet âgé , Enfant , Chine , Études transversales , Humains , Santé buccodentaire , Soutien social , Enquêtes et questionnairesRÉSUMÉ
Background: The migrant elderly following children (MEFC) are a vulnerable group that emerged during fast urbanization in China. The MEFC faced physical and psychological discomfort upon their arrival in the inflow city, particularly those who came from rural areas. Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between oral health status, loneliness, and sleep quality among the MEFC in China and to clarify the disparities in the above mentioned relationship by migration type. Methods: In 2021, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in Weifang, Shandong Province, using multistage cluster random sampling to collect data from the MEFC aged 60 years and over. In total, 613 respondents [525 rural-to-urban (RTU) and 88 urban-to-urban (UTU)] were included in the final database. The chi-square test, t-test, and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to investigate the relationship between oral health status, loneliness, and sleep quality among the RTU and UTU MEFC. Results: Total scores [mean ± standard deviation (SD)] for oral health status, loneliness, and sleep quality were 54.95 ± 6.47, 8.58 ± 3.03, and 4.47 ± 3.60, respectively. SEM revealed that, among the RTU and UTU MEFC, oral health status was positively and significantly related to sleep quality; however, the correlation was slightly stronger in the UTU MEFC. In both groups, there was a significant negative correlation between oral health status and loneliness, which was stronger in the UTU MEFC. In the RTU MEFC, a significant negative correlation between loneliness and sleep quality was observed, and in the UTU MEFC, no significant association between loneliness and sleep quality was observed. Conclusion: The sleep quality among the MEFC in this study was higher compared to previous studies. Oral health status was negatively correlated with loneliness and positively associated with sleep quality, whereas loneliness was negatively correlated with sleep quality. These three associations differed significantly between the UTU and RTU MEFC. The government, society, and families should take measures to improve oral health and reduce loneliness among the MEFC to improve their sleep quality.
Sujet(s)
Solitude , Population de passage et migrants , Sujet âgé , Humains , Enfant , Adulte d'âge moyen , Santé buccodentaire , Qualité du sommeil , Études transversales , Chine/épidémiologieRÉSUMÉ
This study describes a method for the simultaneous determination of galactose, glucose, lactose and galactooligosaccharides (GOS) in GOS raw materials (GOS syrups and powdered GOS) by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD). The GOS raw materials were extracted with phosphate buffer. The extract was then treated with ß-galactosidase to hydrolyze GOS and lactose. The total amounts of galactose and glucose released from GOS and lactose were determined in the treated solution. Free galactose, glucose and lactose were determined in the initial solution. The glucose in a ß-galactosidase solution was also determined. The content of GOS in GOS raw materials was calculated by the increment of galactose and glucose after GOS were hydrolyzed, and the glucose and galactose also released from lactose were taken into consideration. The validated method has been successfully applied to determine the content of galactose, glucose, lactose and GOS in GOS syrups and powdered GOS.