Subject(s)
Ambulatory Care/organization & administration , Community Pharmacy Services/organization & administration , Diabetes Mellitus/drug therapy , Hypertension/drug therapy , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Blood Glucose/analysis , Body Mass Index , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology , Female , Hong Kong/epidemiology , Humans , Hypertension/epidemiology , Male , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major health issue in Hong Kong and has become the second leading cause of death since the 1960s. The prevalence of CHD and its mortality in Hong Kong are approaching a level that requires focused attention. Unfortunately, CHD could be a silent disease until the manifestations occur. Early detection and control of cardiovascular risk factors including cholesterol and blood pressure are vital. OBJECTIVE: The current project aimed to investigate the 10-year cardiovascular risk in the general public of Hong Kong. DESIGN: A 12-month prospective cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PATIENTS: General public of Hong Kong between April 2007 and April 2008. INTERVENTION: Public screening of lipid panels and blood pressure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Estimation of 10-year cardiovascular risk. RESULTS: During this period, a total of 2607 patients were recruited with a mean age of 46.4±11.1â years (51.3% male), and 8.1% of subjects were active smokers. Among all of the subjects, the mean total cholesterol was 5.42±1.28â mmol/l, and the mean high density cholesterol was 1.59±0.75â mmol/l. The mean systolic blood pressure was 121.7±19.5â mm Hg. The assessment of the 10-year cardiovascular risk showed that 13.8% of the subjects were moderately high to high-risk patients. CONCLUSION: The general public in Hong Kong had a relatively high total cholesterol and normal-high systolic blood pressure. Almost two in every 10 Hong Kong citizens may have a 10-20% or more than 20% risk of developing CHD in the next 10â years.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Daily spiritual experience (DSE) refers to one's interaction with the transcendent in day-to-day life. Underwood's Daily Spiritual Experience Scale mic(DSES) was developed to measure this experiential component of religiousness and spirituality. Addressing ordinary daily experiences rather than particular beliefs, DSES has transcultural applicability potential. PURPOSE: The current study aimed to develop and evaluate the Chinese version of DSES (DSES-C). METHOD: The 16-item scale was translated faithfully through standard translation/back-translation procedures. The term "God" required an extended definition embracing both a humanized and a philosophical higher power in Chinese culture. The translated scale plus a battery of validation scales were administered to staff of a large rehabilitation service complex, resulting in 245 completed questionnaires. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis revealed a similar factor structure as the original English version and similar problems with items 13 (compassion) and 14 (mercy). After carefully deliberating on the Chinese conceptualization of spirituality and balancing psychometric properties, the one-factor 16-item structure of the English version was supported. DSES-C showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.97). Construct validity was supported by correlations with validation scales in expected directions. CONCLUSION: The psychometric properties of DSES were similar to the English version in factor structure, internal consistency, and convergence/divergence construct validity.
