Abstract: Sleep is a naturally recurring state that is significant and crucial factor for physical development and mental health. However, it is often neglected by many people, especially in developed countries. Many people, adults and children, are affected by sleeping disorder and the problem of sleeplessness has become a common complaint. The attributing factors of sleeplessness include environment, drugs, beverages and alcohol, smoking, stress, anxiety, biorhythm, chronic diseases and lifestyle behaviours. Insomnia affects both physical or mental health. Weight gain, depression, mood disorder, chronic diseases, injuries and even death are the consequences. Leaving treatment by cognitive behavioural therapy and medications aside, prevention is the preferred action. Stress management, attention and improvement to the environment, avoidance of alcohol, smoking and certain food and beverages like caffeine containing drinks, management of chronic conditions, and the appropriate and sensible use of electronic screen devices are key preventive measures, that helps to promote quality sleep and thus avoiding insomnia.
Abstract: The study aims to investigate the current utilization of health information for disease prevention and health promotion among college students in Hong Kong, to understand how they acquire health information through different electronic media and to what extent they trust these health information. A cross-sectional study was performed between October and November 2015, 821 questionnaires were distributed to respondents in different tertiary institutions in Hong Kong, data were collected and analysed through SPSS programme. The findings showed that the respondents were mostly likely to look for health information when they were feeling sick (50.4%). Both male (63.5%) and female (64%) respondents reported that they lacked appropriate health knowledge and it was important for them to obtain this kind of information. A majority of respondents used internet (85.4%) and social media (67%) as their main sources of health information. There were also 60% of respondents who demonstrated doubts towards the reliability of information from the internet (23.3%) and social media (32.9%). There was no significant gender difference in terms of how this health information was acquired. These results showed that internet and social media were the principle sources of health information for college students in Hong Kong. However, most of them were unsure about the validity and trustworthiness of this information. To prevent students from obtaining potentially unreliable health information on the internet or from social media platforms, more health promotion is recommended to be carried out among local tertiary institutions on enhancing students' awareness in obtaining reliable health information.
Abstract: Recent studies on the use of Internet among youngsters suggest problematic behaviour and adverse impacts on overall health as there are uncharted boundaries of information and media through Internet. Such related problems include Internet addiction, shyness, alienation, psychological distress and academic performance decrement over time. As a consequence, the ability of students in tertiary education to communicate effectively and interact humanly could deteriorate as they become more accustomed to networking via Internet. However, students nowadays do increasingly rely on the Internet to perform research under the knowledge-based economy despite concerns over reliability and truthfulness of information available from Internet. There are a role and values of Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) for an optimal use of Internet. With reference to an interdisciplinary review, we suggest an interventionist approach to orient students in tertiary education to develop a strategic mindset that exploits Internet as a source for developing knowledge about learning outcomes while mitigating the risks associated with over-reliance and inadequate uses.
Abstract: The “EatSmart@restaurant.hk” Campaign has been launched since 2007 in order to cultivate a healthy eating habit in Hong Kong. EatSmart restaurants provide customers with the healthier dishes, containing more vegetables and less oil, salt and sugar. This Campaign is a good way to encourage citizens to eat healthily and fit into their eating out culture. There are some deficiencies in its promotion, namely the sustainability of the Campaign. The supervision of EatSmart restaurants is not enough and can hardly guarantee the quality of healthier dishes. Moreover, it cannot attract restaurants to join due to the lack of incentives. The contents of promotion materials are also unclear. Although the Campaign has been implemented for around 9 years, the obesity rate is still increasing slightly. The majority of people consume inadequate daily fruits and vegetables intake even nowadays. Besides, there are very few restaurants participating in it. As a result, the effectiveness of the Campaign seems to be doubtful. As such, it is necessary to improve the Campaign. The Government plays the crucial role in this health promotional initiative, not only in its sustainably, but also provides a supporting policy, such as incentives to participate and regular checking of the EatSmart restaurants.
Abstract: The waiting time of total joint replacement (TJR) is very long in the public hospitals of the Hospital Authority (HA). It may lead to negative impacts on the outcomes of TJR. While HA continuously develops joint replacement centres, it still cannot reduce the waiting time of TJR significantly. The quality of healthcare services in both the public and private sectors is comparable but there are very large differences in the charges. Hence, patients are willing to wait on the list. To reduce the waiting time of TJR, two approaches are recommended. There can be a Government subsidisation programme of TJR to shift patient to private hospitals. Adequate manpower, particularly in physiotherapists, Chinese Medicine Practitioners, clinical psychologists and nurses, should be a top priority to reduce the length of stay in the hospitals, releasing more beds for patients in the queue.
Abstract