A cluster randomized controlled trial of a brief positive healthy eating intervention.

Excessive sugar intake poses a significant risk factor for non-communicable diseases. A positive healthy eating (PHE) intervention was developed to promote low-sugar dietary practices in families. The PHE intervention capitalized on positive psychological constructs to overcome barriers to health behavior change by helping families associate feelings of joy, gratitude, and savoring with healthy eating. In a cluster randomized controlled trial, 1983 participants from 1467 families were recruited in Hong Kong. PHE included a core and booster session. Data were collected at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 1-month and 3-month follow-up. Compared to the control, PHE showed greater increase in intention to change at post-intervention, engagement in low-sugar dietary practices individually and with family members at 3-month follow-up, and greater reduction in sugar-sweetened beverage intake at 1-month and 3-month follow-up. Intentions to change mediated PHE's effects on low-sugar dietary practices. Focus group interviews revealed the behavior-change process and family quality of life.

Implementation and evaluation of a model-based risk management process and service enhancement for home-based community care services amidst COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong: A mixed-method approach.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly challenged all public social services, particularly home-based community care services (HBCCS). Aberdeen Kai-fong Association (AKA) is a non-government organization (NGO) in Hong Kong that systematically manages the challenges to HBCCS. This paper presents a practical example of the implementation and evaluation of the risk management process for HBCCS. Methods: Mixed-method design was used to evaluate the implementation of the risk management process in encountering the challenges from existing and potential problems to maintain and enhance HBCCS in four major areas amidst the pandemic. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey and three qualitative focus group interviews were conducted by AKA from 30 December 2021 to 12 March 2022 to collect staff feedback on the institutional risk management process in four areas. Results: 109 HBCCS staff members (69% aged 40 years or above; 80% female) completed the questionnaire survey. For resource arrangement and staff training, over 90% of the participants agreed (including strongly agreed) that they had sufficient and reliable personal protective equipment and clear infection control guideline and effective training. Over 80% agreed they had safe working space and effective manpower allocation. However, only 75% agreed they had received emotional support from the organization. Over 90% agreed that the basic services were maintained for service continuation and enhancement, the service users and their families trusted the organization, and the provided services were adjusted according to users' needs. 88% agreed that the organization had obtained support from the neighborhood. For communication among stakeholders, over 80% agreed they had open discussions with the senior management team, and the senior management team was willing to listen. Twenty-six staff members joined the three focus group interviews. The qualitative findings corroborated the quantitative results. Staff appreciated the organisation's work to enhance staff safety and continue advancing services during this difficult period. Regular in-service training, updated information and guidelines to staff, and proactive phone calls to service users, especially the elderly, were suggested to enhance the quality of services. Conclusions: The paper could help NGOs and others encountering management challenges in community social services in diverse settings amidst the pandemic and beyond.

A Smartphone App for Promoting Mental Well-being and Awareness of Anxious Symptoms in Adolescents: A Pilot Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To design a smartphone app and evaluate its effect on promoting mental well-being and awareness of anxious symptoms in adolescents. Materials and Methods: A pilot cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted with two secondary schools (390 students, mean age 13.1 years) randomized to the intervention and control groups. An app was designed to encourage "Sharing, Mind, and Enjoyment (SME)" between students and their parents (e.g., express gratitude), including interaction and game elements. The app was used daily over 1 month. The waitlist control group was offered the app after completing all assessments. The primary outcomes were changes in SME behaviors measured at 1 month and 3 months. Secondary outcomes included subjective happiness, well-being, personal health and happiness, family health, happiness and harmony, self-perceived knowledge, and understanding of anxious symptoms. Two focus groups of students and three individual in-depth interviews of community partners were conducted. Results: Seventeen of 152 students (11.2%) in the intervention group used the app together with parents (adherent subgroup) and 69 (45.4%) used it without involving parents. The intervention group did not show significant difference in the change of SME behaviors at 1- or 3-month follow-up compared with the control group. However, the intervention group reported greater increase in the awareness of anxious symptoms at follow-ups than the control group (d = 0.52 at 1 month and d = 0.43 at 3 month, both P < 0.001). Post hoc analysis showed a significantly greater increase in SME-related behaviors in the adherent subgroup than the control group at 3 months (d = 0.46, P = 0.04). The interviews found favorable changes in app users, but motivation to use the app was low in general. Both students and community partners suggested primary school students would be more receptive users. Conclusions: The app did not show effectiveness in increasing SME behaviors of students, but increased awareness of anxious symptoms. Further improvements and tests are warranted. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03361475.

Feasibility and Potential Effectiveness of a Smartphone Zero-Time Exercise Intervention for Promoting Physical Activity and Fitness in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Zero-time Exercise (ZTEx), a simple strength- and stamina-enhancing physical activity (PA) requiring no extra equipment, can potentially increase PA and fitness. This pilot trial examined the feasibility and potential effectiveness of a smartphone ZTEx intervention to promote PA and fitness in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods: A parallel-group assessor-blinded pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted on Chinese patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD) in three cardiology clinics. The experimental group received a 15-min brief individual face-to-face session and a 12-week ZTEx instant messaging with 28 picture e-messages and a smartphone ZTEx application (ZTExApp). The control group received the same duration of individual session and number and format of e-messages, but the content was healthy eating and breathing exercise. The feasibility was assessed based on: attrition rate, usage, response rate and perception of the intervention. The outcome evaluation included primary outcome (PA), fitness, exercise self-efficacy and intention, perceived happiness and health, and quality of life. A linear mixed model was used with intention-to-treat analysis adjusting for sex, age and baseline values. A semi-structured interview was conducted to collect feedback from the experiment group. Results: One hundred thirty-nine patients (mean age 59.8 ± 6.6; 71.2% male) were randomized to the experimental group (n = 70) or control group (n = 69), and 80% (56/70) and 82% (57/69) of patients completed the 12-week follow-up assessment, respectively. The attrition rate was 18.7%. The experimental group reported that ZTEx was feasible to integrate PA into their daily life and appreciated the picture e-messages, and 95% of them sent feedback to us, but only 19.6% (13/70) of the participants entered their PA information into the e-diary of the ZTExApp. The experimental group had a significantly greater increase in time spent walking [mean difference (95% CI): 155.3 (10.1, 300.4), P = 0.04, Cohen's d = 0.34] than the control group. Conclusions: This pilot study showed using a brief ZTEx face-to-face session with picture e-messages empowered patients with CHD to integrate PA into daily life. Future definitive trials with a longer follow-up and a more user-friendly ZTExApp interface are necessary to determine the effectiveness of the smartphone ZTEx intervention in enhancing PA and related outcomes. Trial Registration: The research protocol was registered at the Hong Kong University Clinical Trials Registry (HKUCTR) on 22 Jul 2016 (Study identifier: HKUCTR-2165) and was also retrospectively registered at the National Institutes of Health (identifier number: NCT03464331) on 14 March 2018.

Promoting positive parenting and mental wellbeing in Hong Kong Chinese parents: A pilot cluster randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Effective and brief positive parenting interventions could be adopted widely, but evidence is limited. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a positive parenting programme in Hong Kong Chinese parents. METHODS: We conducted a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial in 2017 in 144 Hong Kong Chinese parents (84.7% women, mean age 42.5 [SD 5.87] years) of school-age children (mean age 10.9 [2.8] years) in 4 family service centres (clusters). The intervention included two 2-hour interactive talks (4 hours in total). The contents covered skills of giving praise, showing appreciation and playing enjoyable family games. The control group was offered the intervention after all the data were collected. Praise, appreciation and enjoyment related behaviours were measured as primary outcomes at baseline, 1 month and 3 months. The secondary outcomes were subjective happiness, wellbeing, personal health and happiness, family health, family happiness and harmony, and family relationship. After the completion of all assessments, five focus group discussions with the parents and four individual in-depth interviews with community service providers were conducted to explore their experiences. RESULTS: Compared with the control group (n = 69), the intervention group (n = 75) showed greater positive changes in appreciation and enjoyment at 3 months with small effect sizes (d = 0.42 and 0.32, respectively), and greater improvements in the secondary outcomes at 3 months with small effect sizes (d: 0.29-0.48). In the focus groups, the parents reported more praise to their children, better temper control, more focus on their children's strengths and better family relationships. According to the service providers, most of the parents enjoyed the activities. CONCLUSIONS: The brief intervention in community settings with the engagement of community service providers has shown preliminary effectiveness in promoting positive parenting and mental wellbeing of Hong Kong Chinese parents. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The authors confirm that all ongoing and related trials for this intervention are registered. The study reported in this manuscript is registered as clinical trial at clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03282071. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03282071.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Positive Family Holistic Health Intervention for Probationers in Hong Kong: A Mixed-Method Study.

Introduction: Probationers, offenders with less serious and non-violent offences, and under statutory supervision, have low levels of self-esteem and physical health, and high level of family conflict, and poorer quality of family relationships. This study examined the effectiveness of the existing probation service and the additional use of a positive family holistic health intervention to enhance physical, psychological, and family well-being in probationers and relationships with probation officers. Methods: Probationers under the care of the Hong Kong Social Welfare Department were randomized into a care-as-usual control group (CAU), a brief intervention group (BI) receiving two 1-h individual sessions [of a brief theory-based positive family holistic health intervention integrating Zero-time Exercise (simple and easy-to-do lifestyle-integrated physical activity) and positive psychology themes of "Praise and Gratitude" in the existing probation service], or a combined intervention group (CI) receiving BI and a 1-day group activity with family members. The outcomes were physical activity, fitness performance, self-esteem, happiness, anxiety and depression symptoms, life satisfaction, quality of life, family communication and well-being, and relationships with probation officers. Self-administered questionnaires and simple fitness tests were used at baseline, 1-month and 3-month follow-up. Linear mixed model analysis was used to compare difference in the changes of outcome variables among groups, adjusted of sex, age, and baseline values. Focus group interviews were conducted. Thematic content analysis was used. Results: 318 probationers (51% male) were randomized into CAU (n = 105), BI (n = 108), or CI (n = 105) group. CAU showed enhanced physical activity, fitness performance and psychological health, and family communication with small effect sizes (Cohen's d: 0.19-0.41). BI and CI showed further improved physical activity, family communication and family well-being (Cohen's d: 0.37-0.70). Additionally, CI reported greater improvements in the relationships with probation officers than CAU with a small effect size (Cohen's d: 0.43). CI also reported greater increases in physical activity and family communication than BI with small to moderate effect sizes (Cohen's d: 0.38-0.58). Qualitative feedbacks corroborated the quantitative findings. Conclusion: Our trial provided the first evidence of the effectiveness of probation service and the additional use of an innovative, relatively low-cost, theory-based brief positive family holistic health intervention. This intervention may offer a new model for enhancing probation service. Trial Registration: The research protocol was registered at the National Institutes of Health (identifier: NCT02770898).

Promoting Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Parents: A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial.

We conducted a cluster randomised controlled trial of parents in 56 primary schools and community service centres (clusters) to evaluate the effectiveness of a single-session workshop on promoting more fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. A total of 803 parents were randomised to the FV intervention arm (16 clusters, n = 197), the more appreciation control arm (19 clusters, n = 270), or the less criticism control arm (21 clusters, n = 336). The FV intake of the FV arm was compared with that of the combined more appreciation or less criticism (MALC) arm. Both arms received a 2 h workshop: (i) the FV arm on increasing FV consumption and related food literacy; (ii) the MALC arm on increasing appreciation or reducing criticism of children. Primary outcomes were FV consumption per day in the past week assessed at baseline, 2-weeks, and 6-weeks. Secondary outcomes were behavioural determinants proposed by the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA), including outcome expectancies, self-efficacy, intention, and planning behaviour. The FV arm had a greater increase in FV consumption than the MALC arm, with large effect sizes (d: 0.97-1.08) and improvements in behavioural determinants with small effect sizes at all time points (d: 0.19-0.43). Our study was the first population-based randomised controlled trial to show that a brief, single 2 h HAPA-based workshop was effective in promoting fruit and vegetable intake in parents.

Influence of Anionic Surfactants on the Fundamental Properties of Polymer/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite Films.

Surfactants are frequently employed in the fabrication of polymer/graphene-based nanocomposites via emulsion techniques. However, the impact of surfactants on the electrical and mechanical properties of such nanocomposite films remains to be explored. We have systematically studied the impact of two anionic surfactants [sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS)] on intrinsic properties of the nanocomposite films comprising reduced graphene oxide in a matrix of poly(styrene-stat-n-butyl acrylate). Using these ambient temperature film-forming systems, we fabricated films with different concentrations of the surfactants (1-7 wt %, relative to the organic phase). Significant differences in film properties were observed both as a function of amount and type of surfactant. Thermally reduced films exhibited concentration-dependent increases in surface roughness, electrical conductivity, and mechanical properties with increasing SDS content. When compared with SDBS, SDS films exhibited an order of magnitude higher electrical conductivity values at every concentration (highest value of ∼4.4 S m-1 for 7 wt % SDS) and superior mechanical properties at higher surfactant concentrations. The present results illustrate how the simple inclusion of a benzene ring in the SDS structure (as in SDBS) can cause a significant change in the electrical and mechanical properties of the nanocomposite. Overall, the present results demonstrate how nanocomposite properties can be judiciously manipulated by altering the concentration and/or type of surfactant.

A Community-Based Lifestyle-Integrated Physical Activity Intervention to Enhance Physical Activity, Positive Family Communication, and Perceived Health in Deprived Families: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Zero-time exercise (ZTEx) is an approach integrating simple strength- and stamina-enhancing physical activity into daily life. The study evaluated the effectiveness of a community-based lifestyle-integrated physical activity intervention using ZTEx to enhance participants' physical activity, family communication, perceived health and happiness, and family harmony. Methods: A parallel group, cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in a sample of 673 participants from eight Integrated Family Service Centers in Hong Kong. The experimental group (n = 316) received a physical activity intervention. The control group (n = 357) received information on healthy eating. Both groups received three face-to-face intervention sessions (totalling 6 h and 30 min) and 16 text messages. The primary outcome was the change in days spent engaged in ZTEx. Secondary outcomes included changes in sitting time, days engaged in moderate or vigorous physical activities, family communication (encouraging and engaging family members in ZTEx), dietary habits, perceived health and happiness, and family harmony. Self-administered questionnaires were used at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months. Mixed effects models with intention-to-treat analysis was used. Results: Compared with the control group at 3 months, the experimental group showed significantly greater increases of 1.3 days spent doing ZTEx (Cohen's d: 0.60), 0.3 days spent doing moderate physical activity (Cohen's d: 0.08), 0.3 days encouraging family members to do ZTEx (Cohen's d: 0.16), and 0.7 days doing ZTEx with family members (Cohen's d: 0.39) during the 7 days prior. At 3 months, the experimental group also showed a significantly greater improvement in perceived health, by a score of 0.2 (Cohen's d: 0.14). The effect sizes ranged from small to medium, with similar intervention effects at the 6-month and 1-year assessments. Compared with the experimental group, the control group showed a significantly greater reduction of 0.4 days on which sweetened beverages were consumed (95% CI: 0.01, 0.9, p < 0.05, Cohen's d: 0.28). The qualitative results supported the quantitative findings. Conclusions: Our findings show that a community-based lifestyle-integrated physical activity (PA) intervention can enhance physical activity, family communication, and perceived health in deprived families in Hong Kong. Trial registration: The research protocol was retrospectively registered at the National Institutes of Health (identifier number: NCT02601534) on November 10, 2015.

A cluster randomized controlled trial of a positive physical activity intervention.

OBJECTIVE: Due to global urbanization, technological advancements, and increasing convenience in daily activities, reduced energy expenditure in all aspects of life has become a major public health concern. A positive physical activity (PPA) intervention was developed to promote physical activity and fitness among Hong Kong families. PPA utilizes positive affective attitudes to circumvent barriers to health behavior change by helping families associate feelings of enjoyment with physical activity. Zero-Time Exercise (ZTEx) was introduced and promoted as a foot-in-the-door approach. METHOD: Using a community-based collaborative approach, the research team worked with social service organizations, a government department, and schools to implement a cluster randomized controlled crossover trial at a citywide scale. A total of 1,983 eligible participants from 1,467 families were recruited from all 18 districts in Hong Kong. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and physical fitness assessments at preintervention and 1-month and 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: PPA was effective in increasing ZTEx and ZTEx with family members at 1-month and 3-month follow-up and in improving balance and endurance at 3-month follow-up. Semistructured focus groups provided further support for the intervention effectiveness and added in-depth insights into the participants' motivational, interpersonal, and affective experiences. CONCLUSION: The results not only shed light on the intervention's effectiveness for physical activity and fitness but also demonstrated that the community-based collaborative approach was successful in engaging relevant stakeholders in an active and fruitful partnership with effective capacity building for program development. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

A cluster randomized controlled trial of more appreciation and less criticism in Hong Kong parents.

Our cluster randomized controlled trial tested, respectively, 2 brief interventions to promote more appreciation and less criticism in Hong Kong Chinese parents toward their children and to enhance family well-being. We randomized 56 primary schools and community service centers (clusters of parents of primary grades 3-6 students) to the more appreciation (MA) or less criticism (LC) intervention arms, or fruit and vegetable control arm (FV). A total of 803 parents received a 2-hr workshop on increasing appreciation (19 clusters, n = 270), reducing criticism (21 clusters, n = 336), or increasing fruit and vegetable consumption (16 clusters, n = 197) and were assessed at baseline, immediately after the workshop, at 2 weeks, and at 6 weeks. Primary outcomes were parents' frequency of appreciation and criticism behaviors. Secondary outcomes were family well-being and potential behavioral determinants proposed by the Health Action Process Approach, including outcome expectancies, self-efficacy, intention, and planning behavior. At 6 weeks, the MA and LC arms reported greater increases in appreciation behavior than the FV arm, and the LC arm reported greater decreases in criticism than the FV arm, with small effect sizes. Specific improvements were also observed in the behavioral determinants at various time points compared with the FV arm. Similar improvements in family well-being were observed across all arms. Our findings were the first to show that brief Health Action Process Approach-based workshops on Chinese parents were effective in promoting positive parental behaviors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Self-Reported Screen Time on Social Networking Sites Associated With Problematic Smartphone Use in Chinese Adults: A Population-Based Study.

Background: Problematic smartphone use (PSU) has been associated with screen time in general, but little is known about the effect of different screen-based activities. We examined the associations of self-reported time spent on overall and specific screen-based activities with PSU and its addictive symptoms in Hong Kong Chinese adults. Methods: We analyzed data from 562 smartphone owners (56.5% female; 82.1% aged 25-64 years) in a population-based telephone survey in 2017. PSU was measured using Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (range 10-60) which includes symptoms of daily-life disturbance, withdrawal, cyberspace-oriented relationship, overuse, and tolerance. Screen time was self-reported as average hours per day spent on the internet, online book/newspaper/magazine, online video, and social networking sites (SNS). Multivariable linear regression analyzed the associations of self-reported screen time with PSU severity and symptoms. Interaction effects of sex, age group, educational attainment, and monthly household income were examined. Results: Self-reported time spent on overall screen-based activities was associated with PSU severity (ß = 1.35, 95% CI 0.15, 2.55) and withdrawal and overuse symptoms, after adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related variables. Independent association was observed for self-reported SNS time with PSU severity (ß = 1.42, 95% CI 0.35, 2.49) and symptoms of withdrawal and cyberspace-oriented relationship, after mutually adjusting for time on other activities. The strongest association between self-reported SNS time and PSU severity was observed in younger than older adults (ß = 4.36, 95% CI 2.58, 6.13; P for interaction = 0.004). Conclusions: The independent association of self-reported SNS time with PSU and core addictive symptoms highlighted the addiction potential of SNS use, particularly in younger users.

Process Evaluation and Experience Sharing on Utilizing Information Communication Technologies and Digital Games in a Large Community Family Health Event: Hong Kong Jockey Club SMART Family-Link Project.

Background: Information communication technologies (ICT) are increasingly used in health promotion, but integration is challenging and involves complex processes. Large community health promotion events are often held but the experiences and processes have rarely been evaluated and published. No reports have described and systematically evaluated an ICT-supported health promotion event using digital games. Objective: We evaluated the development and implementation of a large community family health promotion event with ICT integration to promote family happiness with collaboration between academia (The University of Hong Kong) and the social (family) service sector, and collected feedback from participants and social service workers. Methods: We (i) conducted a systematic process evaluation, (ii) administered an on-site questionnaire survey on participant satisfaction and feedback, and (iii) collected post-event qualitative feedback from social workers on using new technologies, digital game design and overall experiences. Results: Fourteen digital games were designed and run in booths at the event by 12 non-governmental social service organizations and academia. Four gaming technologies were utilized: chroma key (green screen), somatosensory (kinect and leap motion techniques), augmented reality and virtual reality. 1,365 participants joined the event, in which 1,257 from 454 families were recruited and pre-registered through 12 NGOs. About 39.3% were male and more than half (53.3%) were aged 18 years and above. About 3,487 game booth headcounts were recorded. Games using virtual reality, kinect motion and green screen technologies were most liked. The average game satisfaction score was high (4.5 out of 5). Social service workers reported positive experiences with using new technologies in health promotion, and interests in future collaborations involving more ICT. Conclusions: Our systematic evaluation showed successful integration of ICT components in the health promotion event. This event, most likely the first of its kind, served as a capacity building and knowledge transfer platform for interdisciplinary co-sharing and co-learning of new technologies. It provided a solid foundation for further academic and social service partnerships and should be a useful model for similar community events and their evaluation. Further development and integration of ICT for health promotion among social service organizations with comprehensive evaluation are warranted.

Development and feasibility of a brief Zero-time Exercise intervention to reduce sedentary behaviour and enhance physical activity: A pilot trial.

A brief intervention using Zero-time Exercise (ZTEx), a foot-in-the-door approach, was developed to reduce sedentary behaviour and increase physical activity. ZTEx refers to the integration of simple strength- and stamina-enhancing physical activity into daily life, which can be done anytime, anywhere and by anyone. This paper presents the development, feasibility, and preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of this intervention under the Hong Kong Jockey Club FAMILY Project. Needs assessments were conducted with social workers from the Christian Family Services Center(CFSC) and the Social Welfare Department (SWD). This single group prospective ZTEx intervention trial, guided by the Health Action Process Approach, included a 3-hr core session at baseline and a 1-hr booster session at 1-month follow-up. Fifty-six participants (social and service-related workers) from CFSC (n = 28) and SWD (n = 28) received the intervention and completed the self-administered questionnaires at baseline. Forty-nine and 43 participants completed the 1-month and 3-month self-administered questionnaires, respectively. Fifteen participants attended the focus group interviews to share their feedback on ZTEx intervention after implementing their community-based ZTEx activities. Intention-to-treat analysis was conducted with missing data replaced by baseline values. Participants reported significant decreases in sitting time by 27 (2, 52) minutes (mean [95% confidence interval]) and 36 (0.2, 71) minutes on a weekday, increases in physical activity while seated by 0.7 (0.2, 1.4) days and 1.1 (0.6, 1.7) days in a week, and improvements in perceived knowledge, outcome expectancies and plan on doing ZTEx at the 1-month and 3-month follow-up, respectively. Balance and muscle strength significantly improved at the 1-month follow-up. The effect ranged from small to large (Cohen's d: 0.27-1.05, all p < 0.05). The qualitative feedbacks support the quantitative findings. Our findings show early evidence that ZTEx effectively reduced sedentary behaviour and enhanced physical activity and fitness. Further trials on this simple and low-cost intervention as the first step to promote higher intensity exercise are warranted.

Test-retest reliability and validity of a single-item Self-reported Family Happiness Scale in Hong Kong Chinese: findings from Hong Kong Jockey Club FAMILY Project.

PURPOSE: Family happiness is one major theme of family well-being in Chinese culture. We investigated the reliability and validity of the single-item Self-reported Family Happiness Scale (SFHS-1) with the score of 0-10, based on two studies in Hong Kong Chinese. METHODS: Study 1 was a territory-wide population-based telephone survey (n = 4038) conducted in 2016. Study 2 was a community-based family intervention program conducted during 2012-2013 (n = 1261) to enhance family communication and well-being. Test-retest reliability of the SFHS-1 was assessed over 1 month in Study 2. Family APGAR (Adaption, Partnership, Growth, Affection, Resolve) Scale, Family Communication Scale, Subjective Happiness Scale, 12-item Short Form Health Survey Version 2, and 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire were used to assess the convergent and discriminant validities of the SFHS-1 in both studies. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the incremental validity by identifying the additional contribution of the SFHS-1 score in predicting subjective happiness. RESULTS: The 1-month test-retest reliability assessed by intraclass correlation was 0.76. Family happiness was moderately to strongly correlated with family function, family communication, subjective happiness, mental health-related quality of life and depression, but weakly correlated with physical health-related quality of life. Furthermore, the score of the SFHS-1 added predictive power to mental health-related quality of life and depression in assessing subjective happiness. CONCLUSIONS: Our results have shown the SFHS-1 as a reliable and valid measurement of family happiness in Hong Kong Chinese, suggesting SFHS-1 is highly practicable for future large epidemiological and community-based intervention studies.

Short version of the Smartphone Addiction Scale in Chinese adults: Psychometric properties, sociodemographic, and health behavioral correlates.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Problematic smartphone use (PSU) is an emerging but understudied public health issue. Little is known about the epidemiology of PSU at the population level. We evaluated the psychometric properties of the Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Version (SAS-SV) and examined its associated sociodemographic factors and health behaviors in Chinese adults in Hong Kong. METHODS: A random sample of 3,211 adults aged ≥18 years (mean ± SD: 43.3 ± 15.7, 45.3% men) participated in a population-based telephone survey in Hong Kong and completed the Chinese SAS-SV. Multivariable linear regressions examined the associations of sociodemographic factors, health behaviors, and chronic disease status with SAS-SV score. Data were weighted by age, sex, and education attainment distributions of the Hong Kong general population. RESULTS: The Chinese SAS-SV is internally consistent (Cronbach's α = .844) and stable over 1 week (intraclass correlation coefficient = .76, p < .001). Confirmatory factor analysis supported a unidimensional structure established by previous studies. The weighted prevalence of PSU was 38.5% (95% confidence interval: 36.9%, 40.2%). Female sex, younger age, being married/cohabitated or divorced/separated (vs. unmarried), and lower education level were associated with a higher SAS-SV score (all ps <.05). Current smoking, weekly to daily alcohol drinking, and physical inactivity predict greater PSU after controlling for sociodemographic factors and mutual adjustment. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The Chinese SAS-SV was found valid and reliable for assessing PSU in Hong Kong adults. Several sociodemographic and health behavioral factors were associated with PSU at the population level, which may have implication for prevention of PSU and future research.

Training to implement a community program has positive effects on health promoters: JC FAMILY Project.

To ease the shortage of professionals, lay volunteers were trained to become health promoters and role models for a large community program to enhance physical activity, well-being, and neighborhood cohesion in socioeconomically disadvantaged groups in Hong Kong. This study aimed to examine the effects on health promoters (trainees) and the feasibility and acceptability of capability-building train-the-trainer workshops (TTTs) using Zero-time Exercise (ZTEx) to implement a community program for about 1,000 participants. A four-session (totally 8 hours) TTT introduced an evidence-based ZTEx intervention to enhance physical activity and well-being, and build capacity for community program implementation. Twenty-eight trainees actively participated in the TTT. Twenty-five and 21 trainees completed the 1- and 3-month questionnaires, respectively. Eleven trainees attended the 1-year focus group interview. Repeated measures analysis of variance and Friedman test were used to compare the parametric and nonparametric data, respectively. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. The trainees reduced their sedentary behavior and improved their interpersonal communication skills, knowledge, and attitude toward ZTEx, grip strength, balance, and perceived well-being. The community participants reported improvements in neighborhood cohesion and grip strength. The 1-year qualitative results supported the 3-month quantitative findings. This brief and innovative TTT affirmed the feasibility of using ZTEx and the role modeling approach for lay health promoters to reduce sedentary behavior and enhance physical activity, fitness, and well-being. They then contributed to the successful implementation of community programs that benefited many. This study provides a new model for building capacity for health promotion in the community.

Health information exposure from information and communication technologies and its associations with health behaviors: Population-based survey.

Health information and communication technologies (ICTs) are increasingly used but little is known about routine exposure to health information from ICTs and its associations with health behaviors. A territory-wide population-based dual landline and mobile telephone survey was conducted in 2016 in Hong Kong, where smartphone ownership and Internet access are among the most prevalent, easiest and fastest in the world. Health information exposure from traditional sources (television/radio/newspaper/magazine), Internet websites, social media sites and instant messaging (IM); and information on smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity were recorded. Prevalence was weighted by age, sex and education level of the general population. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the association of health information exposure with smoking and alcohol consumption, whilst multivariable linear regression was used to assess the association with frequency of moderate and vigorous physical activity (days/week). Of 3063 respondents, most (71.6%) were often or sometimes exposed to health information from traditional sources, followed by Internet websites (40.9%), social media sites (40.7%), and IM (27.0%). Respondents with lower education and household income were less frequently exposed to health information from Internet websites, social media sites and IM (all P < 0.001). Health information exposure from IM was associated with being never smokers, and more frequent moderate and vigorous physical activity (all P for trend <0.05). Health information exposure from IM was least frequent but associated with healthier behaviors. Further public health education campaigns can consider using IM to deliver information, particularly to disadvantaged groups.

Recruitment and Lessons Learned from a Community-Based Intervention Program: The Learning Families Project in Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND: Recruitment is central to any research project, and recruitment itself should be well documented and researched. We describe our recruitment efforts for a community-based research project-entitled the Learning Families Project-conducted in Hong Kong. METHODS: In collaboration with community stakeholders, residents from a public housing estate were recruited to participate in family programs aimed at enhancing family well-being. Various recruitment strategies were employed including the distribution of 19,200 leaflets, 688 posters, a banner, a kick-off ceremony, 10 promotion activities, 1,000 direct calls, word of mouth, 51 mobile counters, and 10 door-to-door visits. Drawing on field notes, research logs, short questionnaires, and focus group conducted with our community partners and residents, we describe and discuss our recruitment strategies, challenges, and lessons learned. RESULTS: Over a 9-month period, 980 participants were recruited and participated in our study, exceeding our recruitment goal (860 participants). Several observations were made including active recruitment strategies (i.e., door-to-door and mobile counter) being more effective than passive strategies (i.e., posters and leaflets); the importance of raising project awareness to facilitate recruitment; and the challenges encountered (i.e., burn-out and loss of motivation of staff, decreased community capacity in collaborating in research projects). CONCLUSION: The lessons learned include the importance of engaging Chinese communities, utilizing a positive outreach approach, and setting realistic expectations. Although similar recruitment strategies have been reported the West, a number of cultural differences should be taken into account when working with Chinese population. Further research is needed to examine the effectiveness of tailoring recruitment strategies to various populations.

Sharing Family Life Information Through Video Calls and Other Information and Communication Technologies and the Association With Family Well-Being: Population-Based Survey.

BACKGROUND: The use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for information sharing among family members is increasing dramatically. However, little is known about the associated factors and the influence on family well-being. OBJECTIVE: The authors investigated the pattern and social determinants of family life information sharing with family and the associations of different methods of sharing with perceived family health, happiness, and harmony (3Hs) in Hong Kong, where mobile phone ownership and Internet access are among the most prevalent, easiest, and fastest in the world. METHODS: A territory-wide population-based telephone survey was conducted from January to August 2016 on different methods of family life information (ie, information related to family communication, relationships with family members, emotion and stress management) sharing with family members, including face-to-face, phone, instant messaging (IM), social media sites, video calls, and email. Family well-being was assessed by three single items on perceived family health, happiness, and harmony, with higher scores indicating better family well-being. Adjusted prevalence ratios were used to assess the associations of sociodemographic factors with family life information sharing, and adjusted beta coefficients for family well-being. RESULTS: Of 2017 respondents, face-to-face was the most common method to share family life information (74.45%, 1502/2017), followed by IM (40.86%, 824/2017), phone (28.10%, 567/2017), social media sites (11.91%, 240/2017), video calls (5.89%, 119/2017), and email (5.48%, 111/2017). Younger age and higher education were associated with the use of any (at least one) method, face-to-face, IM, and social media sites for sharing family life information (all P for trend <.01). Higher education was most strongly associated with the use of video calls (adjusted prevalence ratio=5.61, 95% CI 2.29-13.74). Higher household income was significantly associated with the use of any method, face-to-face, and IM (all P for trend <.05). Sharing family life information was associated with a higher level of perceived family well-being (beta=0.56, 95% CI 0.37-0.75), especially by face-to-face (beta=0.62, 95% CI 0.45-0.80) and video calls (beta=0.34, 95% CI 0.04-0.65). The combination of face-to-face and video calls was most strongly associated with a higher level of perceived family well-being (beta=0.81, 95% CI 0.45-1.16). CONCLUSIONS: The differential use of ICTs to share family life information was observed. The prevalence of video calls was low, but associated with much better family well-being. The results need to be confirmed by prospective and intervention studies to promote the use of video calls to communicate and share information with family, particularly in disadvantaged groups.