Associations between Demographic Characteristics, Perceived Threat, Perceived Stress, Coping Responses and Adherence to COVID-19 Prevention Measures among Healthcare Students in China: A Cross-Sectional Survey with Implications for the Control of COVID-19

ObjectivesTo investigate the associations between demographic characteristics, perceived threat, perceived stress, coping responses and adherence to COVID-19 prevention measures in Chinese Healthcare students. DesignA cross-sectional survey collecting data in Hong Kong and Fujian Province of China. Self-administered questionnaires were collected via online platform in April 2020. ParticipantsA convenience and snowball sample of 2706 students aged 18 years or older and studying a healthcare programme in Hong Kong or Fujian. SettingStudents were recruited in tertiary education institutions/universities in Hong Kong and Putian (a prefecture-level city in eastern Fujian province). The institutions offered various healthcare programmes in degree or sub-degree levels. Main outcome measuresCompliances to social distancing and personal hygiene measures were assessed by 10-item Social Distancing Scale and 5-item Personal Hygiene Scale respectively. Path analysis was performed to identify factors associated with the compliance outcomes. ResultsThe participants reported high compliances to both social distancing and personal hygiene measures. Confidence to manage the current situation, wishful thinking and empathetic responding directly predicted compliance to social distancing ({beta}=-0.31, p<0.001; {beta}=0.35, p=0.015; {beta}=0.33, p<0.001 respectively) and personal hygiene measures ({beta}==-0.16, p<0.001; {beta}=0.21, p<0.001; {beta}=0.16, p<0.001 respectively). Gender, geographical location, and clinical experience were the only three demographic variables having direct and/or indirect effects on social distancing and personal hygiene measures. The final model constructed demonstrated a very good fit to the data (Chi-square X2=27.27, df=17, P=0.044; X2/df=1.61; GFI=0.998, CFI=0.997, TLI=0.992, RMSEA=0.015). ConclusionsThe predictive model constructed in this study is the first one to explore factors associating with the compliance to infection control measures in healthcare students amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The findings suggest that students who are male, habituate in Hong Kong, have more clinical experience and weak confidence to manage the threat tend to have lower compliance to social distancing and personal hygiene measures. Wishful thinking, contrasting to previous studies, was first found to positively associate with adherence to COVID-19 control measures.

Erratum to: The Roles of Menopausal-specific Quality of Life on Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs in Menopausal and Postmenopausal Women

The one co-author (Florence MF Wong) was missing in the original version of this article.

Breast Cancer Screening Practice and Associated Factors in Menopausal and Postmenopausal Women

OBJECTIVES: This study examined breast cancer screening (BCS) practices and its associated factors among menopausal and postmenopausal women. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was conducted using convenience sampling at a community center. The modified Chinese BCS Belief questionnaire was used to understand BCS practice. RESULTS: A total of 144 eligible women presented better knowledge and perceptions about breast cancer (mean, 11.46; standard deviation [SD], 3.65) and barriers to achieving mammographic screening (mean, 14.75; SD, 3.70). Participants aged ≥ 50 years had a negative association with the attitudes towards general health check-ups (B = −1.304, standard error [SE] = 0.65, P = 0.046). In this context, having regular physical exercise had a positive association with attitudes towards general health check ups (B = 1.458, SE = 0.06, P = 0.017), and knowledge and perceptions about breast cancer (B = 1.068, SE = 0.62, P = 0.086). Being employed had a positive associated with barriers to achieving mammographic screening (B = 1.823, SE = 0.51, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The women had better knowledge and perception about breast cancer and fewer barriers to mammographic screening. However, attitudes towards general health check-ups were relatively poor. It is noteworthy that women who aged ≥ 50 years and had insufficient physical exercise had poor attitudes. Those who were employed had fewer barriers, and those who had regular physical exercise had better knowledge on the benefits of the BCS practice. Importantly, women who aged ≥ 50 years and lack physical exercise need education about breast cancer to increase their awareness of breast wellness.

The Roles of Menopausal-specific Quality of Life on Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs in Menopausal and Postmenopausal Women

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the association between menopausal-specific quality of life (MENQOL) and breast cancer screening beliefs among Hong Kong Chinese menopausal and postmenopausal women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was employed to collect data. The questionnaire was distributed to a convenience sample of 218 women aged above 45. The outcome variables were breast cancer screening beliefs and breast examination. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the effect of 4 domains in MENQOL (vasomotor, psycho-social, physical, and sexual symptom) and the health behaviors on the 2 outcome variables. RESULTS: This study found that the overall MENQOL scores (in particular psycho-social, and physical aspects) were significantly associated with positive attitudes toward health check-ups and better knowledge and perceptions in breast cancer. Regular exercise was also significantly related to breast examination. CONCLUSIONS: MENQOL (especially psycho-social and physical domain) and regular exercise are important factors associated with breast cancer screening beliefs. The results of this study illuminate health care professionals to develop primary health care strategies to improve the quality of life of mid-life women.