Background: Persistently elevated hospitalization rates in the home healthcare setting indicate the need to prioritize patients with undertreated conditions that can lead to negative outcomes. Urinary incontinence affects approximately 40% of older adults in home healthcare, yet often remains unaddressed. This leaves older adults with urinary incontinence at risk for potentially serious complications that can lead to emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and mortality. Multiple comorbidities, co-occurring symptoms, and disparities in care fuel the complexity of older adults in the home healthcare setting. The overall purpose of this dissertation was to leverage natural language processing to understand symptom clusters and factors associated with acute care utilization among older adults with urinary incontinence in home healthcare to improve comprehensive assessment, treatment, and outcomes. The aims of this dissertation were to: 1) identify relevant comorbidities among community-dwelling older adults with urinary incontinence; 2) develop and test a natural language processing algorithm to extract symptom information from home healthcare free-text clinical notes for older adults with urinary incontinence and analyze differences by race or ethnicity; 3) identify symptom clusters among older adults with urinary incontinence in home healthcare and examine differences by sociodemographic and clinical correlates; and 4) determine factors associated with the risk of emergency department visits or hospitalizations among older adults with urinary incontinence in home healthcare, including the impact of symptom clusters. Methods: This dissertation comprised four studies: 1) a scoping review of the literature to identify comorbidities to broadly characterize community-dwelling older adults with urinary incontinence, 2) a secondary analysis of cross-sectional electronic health record data using natural language processing to extract symptoms from free-text clinical notes and analyze differences by race or ethnicity using Chi-square tests and logistic regression models, 3) a secondary analysis of cross-sectional electronic health record data using hierarchical clustering to analyze the natural language processing-extracted symptom variables and examine differences in sociodemographic and clinical correlates using Chi-square tests, and 4) a retrospective secondary analysis of electronic health record data to identify factors, including symptom clusters, associated with emergency department visits or hospitalizations using Chi-square tests and backward stepwise logistic regression. Results: In the scoping review, we synthesized findings from 10 studies that identified comorbidities among community-dwelling older adults with urinary incontinence across neurologic, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, genitourinary, musculoskeletal, and psychologic systems. In the natural language processing study, we identified eight symptoms of older adults with urinary incontinence (i.e., anxiety, constipation, dizziness, syncope, tachycardia, urinary frequency/urgency, urinary hesitancy/retention, and vision impairment/blurred vision) that were extracted from free-text clinical notes from approximately 29% of home healthcare episodes. Compared to White patients, home healthcare episodes for Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and Black patients were less likely to have any symptoms documented in clinical notes. In the clustering analysis, we identified five distinct symptom clusters: Cluster 1 (anxiety), Cluster 2 (broadly symptomatic), Cluster 3 (dizziness and anxiety), Cluster 4 (constipation, anxiety, and dizziness), and Cluster 5 (no symptoms) that correlate with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Finally, in the retrospective analysis, we found that Clusters 1-4 had higher odds of emergency department visits or hospitalizations, in addition to home healthcare episodes for Black and Hispanic patients, males, patients with an unhealed skin ulcer, and patients with a urinary tract infection 14 days prior to home healthcare admission. Conclusion: Older adults with urinary incontinence in home healthcare have complex physical and psychosocial needs, increasing the risk of negative outcomes. Improving comprehensive assessment and treatment for older adults with urinary incontinence is an urgent priority, given high hospitalization rates in home healthcare. Leveraging natural language processing, this dissertation identified key symptom clusters and factors associated with emergency department visits or hospitalizations, providing valuable insight for multidimensional interventions. Findings provide preliminary evidence to inform improvements in clinical practice, healthcare policies, and future research to enhance the care of older adults with urinary incontinence and reduce negative outcomes in the home healthcare setting.

張鳳愛. / 論文(社會工作碩士) -- 香港中文大學硏究院社會工作學部, 1996. / 參考文献 : leaves 113-121. / Zhang Feng'ai. / 鳴謝 --- p.i / 論文提要 --- p.iii / 目錄 --- p.v / 表目錄 --- p.vii / 緖論 --- p.1 / Chapter 第一章 --- 文獻探討 --- p.6 / Chapter 第一節 --- 生活滿足感 --- p.6 / Chapter 一、 --- 生活滿足感的定義 --- p.6 / Chapter 二、 --- 生活滿足感的因素 --- p.9 / Chapter 第二節 --- 閒暇 / Chapter 一、 --- 閒暇的定義 --- p.18 / Chapter 二、 --- 閒暇對老人的重要 --- p.21 / Chapter 三、 --- 閒暇活動參與與老人生活滿足感的關係 --- p.27 / Chapter 第三節 --- 健康 --- p.36 / Chapter 一、 --- 健康的定義 --- p.36 / Chapter 二、 --- 健康與老人生活滿足感的關係 --- p.39 / Chapter 第四節 --- 健康及閒暇活動與老人生活滿足感的關係 --- p.42 / Chapter 一、 --- 撤離理論 --- p.43 / Chapter 二、 --- 活躍理論 --- p.46 / Chapter 第二章 --- 理論架構 --- p.51 / 以活躍理論爲基礎探求健康及閒暇活動參與 與生活滿足感之關係 / Chapter 第三章 --- 硏究方法 --- p.58 / Chapter 第一節 --- 操作性定義 --- p.58 / Chapter 一、 --- 生活滿足感 --- p.58 / Chapter 二、 --- 健康 --- p.58 / Chapter 三、 --- 閒暇活動 --- p.60 / Chapter 四、 --- 閒暇活動參與 --- p.60 / Chapter 第二節 --- 研究問題 --- p.61 / Chapter 第三節 --- 研究對象及抽樣範疇 --- p.61 / Chapter 第四節 --- 資料搜集程序 --- p.63 / Chapter 第五節 --- 硏究工具 --- p.65 / Chapter 一、 --- 生活滿足感指標簡表 --- p.66 / Chapter 二、 --- 閒暇參與量表 --- p.66 / Chapter 三、 --- 健康量表 --- p.66 / Chapter 第四章 --- 硏究結果與討論 --- p.68 / Chapter 第一節 --- 資料分析與討論 --- p.68 / Chapter 第二節 --- 硏究結果摘要 --- p.82 / 附表樣本所得的資料分析表 --- p.86 / Chapter 第五章 --- 建議及限制 --- p.97 / 結論 --- p.109 / 註釋 --- p.112 / 參考書目 --- p.113 / 附錄問卷：老人生活滿足感與健康及閒暇活動參與之關係 --- p.122

研究背景：便秘被過往的研究確認為世界各地老年人的一個常見健康問題，尤其是居住在安老院的長者。香港一項人口普查亦指出便秘也是香港老年人的一個常見健康問題。便秘對長者的生理、心理和社會功能等各方面都產生不良影響。此外，醫療體制亦因處理便秘及其衍生的健康問題而面對沉重的負擔。目前所採用的常規方案是生活模式改變及使用軟便劑，但兩者均未能有效地紓緩便秘的徵狀。由於香港老齡人口持續增長，便秘將會是一個具有潛在持續性的老年健康問題，故尋找一個能有效地紓緩便秘徵狀的方案甚為迫切。耳穴療法是一項普及的中醫療法，亦屬於互補療法。過往在中國進行的研究顯示，耳穴療法能有效地治療便秘，惟此等療效尚未被確實。耳穴療法應是一個對處理便秘具有潛在療效的治療方案。現時，香港尚未有研究評價耳穴療法對處理便秘的療效。 / 研究目的：本研究旨在評價耳穴療法的互補療效，對安老院內的長者便秘徵狀及便秘相關的健康生活品質的干預效果。 / 研究方法：本研究是一個採取混合研究法的臨床研究。先進行化研究，評價耳穴療法對安老院內長者的便秘徵狀及便秘相關的健康生活品質的互補療效；接著進行質化研究，探討面談者對接受耳穴療法的經驗及感受。量化研究是一個隨機對照及雙盲的研究。安老院內的院友被取錄為參與者後，便隨機地獲分配一個研究組別。本研究共有三個研究組別，每名組員分別接受一個預定的干預措施，包括磁珠耳貼療法 (干預組)，王不留行籽耳貼療法 (對照A組) 及耳貼療法 (對照B組)，干預措施是在七個選定的耳穴上進行耳穴療法，共維持十天。研究指標包括便秘徵狀及便秘相關的健康生活品質。此等研究指標分別在干預前 (基線資料)、十天後 (干預措施結束) 和二十天後 (干預措施結束後十天) 進行資料蒐集。統計推斷方法是採用廣義估計方程模型檢驗組間和組內在便秘徵狀及便秘相關的健康生活品質之差異。質化研究的面談者必須是完成整個研究過程的干預組組員，並在量化檢驗的便秘徵狀指標中取得最高分及最低分的各四位組員。透過個別面談，探討面談者對接受耳穴療法以處理便秘的經驗及感受。 / 研究結果：本研究共有99名參與者。祇有90名參與者接受干預措施 (干預組=31；對照A組=28；對照B組=31)，其中的81名參與者完成整個療程 (干預組=29；對照A組=25；對照B組=27)。本研究結果顯示耳穴療法在十天 (p=0.016)及二十天 (p=0.016) 的研究時期內，便秘相關的健康生活品質中的滿意度在干預組及對照A組間有顯著的差異 (十天及二十天均是p=0.016)。然而，本研究證實磁珠耳貼療法能顯著地紓緩便秘徵狀 (十天：p=0.013；二十天：p<0.001)，提升與便秘相關的健康生活品質 (十天：p=0.005；二十天：p<0.001)，並於三個研究組別中取得最大的療效。此外，質化研究結果顯示，耳穴療法確是一項安全及具認受性的療法，適用於安老院內的院友，可作為處理便秘的治療方案。 / 研究結論：本研究是香港首個通過隨機對照的臨床研究，以評價耳穴療法對處理便秘的互補療效。研究結果顯示磁珠耳貼療法對安老院內的院友具有正向的臨床價值：磁珠耳貼療法能紓緩便秘徵狀及提升便秘相關的健康生活品質；安老院內的院友認為耳穴療法是一項安全及具認受性的療法；對住在安老院內年長的中國人而言，耳穴療法是一項與其文化相關的照護方式。本研究就處理安老院內院友的便秘問題為護理專業提供了有關耳穴療法的新知，並作為日後於護理實務及護理研究方面的參考和方向。 / Background: Constipation has been identified in previous studies as a worldwide health problem among elderly people, especially those living in residential care homes (RCHs). Similarly, constipation is also reported as a common health problem among elderly people in Hong Kong in a local population survey. Constipation adversely affects the biopsychosocial well-being of elderly people. In addition, heavy burden has been imposed on the health care system in dealing with constipation and its related health problems. Constipation is currently managed by laxatives and lifestyle modification. However, constipation is not effectively relieved by these two management strategies. In Hong Kong, the aging population is seen to have an increasing trend. Constipation will then be a potentially expanding health problem among elderly people. All these data indicate an urgent need for effective alternatives to manage this health problem. Auriculotherapy is one popular treatment modality in Chinese medicine, which is also a form of complementary therapy. Previous studies conducted in Mainland China reported promising results in managing constipation with auriculotherapy, although its effectiveness was not affirmed. Auriculotherapy appears to be a promising management strategy for constipation. Until now, no study has been conducted in Hong Kong to evaluate the effectiveness of auriculotherapy in managing constipation. / Aim: The current study aims to evaluate the complementary effects of auriculotherapy in relieving constipation symptoms and in promoting disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among elderly RCH residents. / Methods: The present study is a clinical trial that adopts the mixed-method design. A randomized placebo-controlled trial was first conducted to evaluate the complementary effects of auriculotherapy in relieving symptoms of constipation and in promoting disease-specific HRQOL in elderly RCH residents. After the completion of the randomized placebo-controlled trial, the qualitative approach was conducted to explore the participants’ experience and perceptions on the use and complementary effects of auriculotherapy with magnetic pellets in managing constipation. The randomized placebo-controlled trial was a double-blind study. The participants were recruited from elderly RCH residents and then randomly assigned to one of the three study groups. The participants received the assigned intervention, namely, auriculotherapy using auricular plaster with magnetic pellet (experimental group), auriculotherapy using auricular plaster with Semen Vaccariae (placebo-controlled group A), or auriculotherapy using only auricular plaster (placebo-controlled group B). Auriculotherapy was applied onto seven selected auricular acupoints for 10 days. Two outcome variables, namely, constipation symptoms and disease-specific HRQOL, were measured before the implementation of intervention (baseline), on Day 10 (at the completion of the intervention), and on Day 20 (at the 10th-day follow-up after the intervention). The generalized estimating equation model was adopted to evaluate the between-group and within-group differences in the complementary effects of auriculotherapy on constipation symptoms and disease-specific HRQOL. In the qualitative approach, the informants were recruited from participants of the experimental group who had successfully completed the study with mean scores in constipation symptoms at the top- or bottom-four ranking. The informants were individually interviewed to explore their experience and perceptions on the use and complementary effects of auriculotherapy in managing constipation. / Results: Ninety-nine participants were recruited in the study. Ninety participants received the intervention as assigned, and eventually, 81 participants completed the intervention. When the interaction effects of time and group were simultaneously considered, statistical significant differences were only found in the satisfaction subscale of the disease-specific HRQOL between the experimental group and placebo-controlled group A on both Day 10 (p=0.016) and Day 20 (p=0.016). For the experimental group, significant time effects were found in constipation symptoms (Day 10：p=0.013; Day 20：p<0.001) and disease-specific HRQOL (Day 10：p=0.005; Day 20：p<0.001) after receiving auriculotherapy. Most importantly, the participants who received auriculotherapy with magnetic pellets showed the greatest improvement in constipation symptoms and disease-specific HRQOL after the intervention compared with the two placebo-controlled groups. The qualitative findings further revealed that auriculotherapy is a safe, well-accepted therapy in managing constipation among elderly RCH residents. / Conclusion: The current study is the first known randomized placebo-controlled trial that evaluates the complementary effects of auriculotherapy in managing constipation in Hong Kong. The current findings indicate positive clinical value of auriculotherapy with magnetic pellets in managing constipation in elderly RCH residents. Auriculotherapy with magnetic pellets was found to provide favourable therapeutic effects in relieving constipation symptoms and in promoting disease-specific HRQOL among elderly RCH residents. This therapy is also considered by elderly people as a safe and acceptable therapy with minimal side effects. In addition, auriculotherapy is considered as a culturally relevant care modality for Chinese elderly RCH residents. The current study contributes new knowledge to nursing for future reference and directions in both nursing practice and nursing research with regard to the complementary effects of auriculotherapy in managing constipation among elderly RCH residents. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Li, Mei Kuen. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 273-305). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract and appendixes also in Chinese. / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION / Introduction --- p.1 / Background of the study --- p.2 / Aim and significances of the study --- p.6 / Overview of the thesis --- p.6 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- LITERATURE REVIEW / Introduction --- p.8 / Constipation: Potentially expanding health problem in elderly population --- p.9 / Prevalence of constipation --- p.9 / Definition of constipation --- p.11 / Physiology and pathophysiology of defecation --- p.13 / Effects of constipation --- p.15 / Adverse individual health consequences --- p.15 / Economic burden in health care system --- p.18 / Contributory factors for constipation --- p.20 / Roles of nurses in managing constipation in current practice --- p.22 / Cautious use of laxatives --- p.24 / Lifestyle modification --- p.24 / Promoting dietary fiber intake --- p.25 / Encouraging oral fluid intake --- p.26 / Promoting physical activity --- p.26 / Integration of complementary therapy into nursing practice in managing constipation --- p.28 / Auriculotherapy --- p.30 / Historical overview of auriculotherapy --- p.30 / Conceptual framework of auriculotherapy --- p.31 / Approaches of auriculotherapy --- p.36 / Mechanism of auriculotherapy --- p.37 / Clinical applications of auriculotherapy in managing constipation --- p.39 / Complementary effects of auriculotherapy in managing constipation: Review of previous studies --- p.41 / Subject characteristics --- p.41 / Intervention protocol --- p.45 / Therapeutic outcome criteria and effectiveness --- p.50 / Strengths and limitations of the reviewed studies --- p.56 / Recommendations for future studies --- p.59 / Significances of the current study --- p.60 / Summary --- p.61 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- METHODS / Introduction --- p.63 / Overview of study design --- p.65 / Mixed-method study design --- p.66 / Quantitative approach --- p.66 / Qualitative approach --- p.68 / Research aim and objectives --- p.68 / Research aim --- p.68 / Research objectives --- p.68 / Null hypotheses --- p.69 / Operational definitions --- p.71 / Rationale of the study design --- p.73 / Rationale for adopting the mixed-method design --- p.73 / Rationale for adopting the randomized controlled trial design --- p.75 / Rationale for adopting double-blindness --- p.75 / Rationale for adopting random assignment --- p.76 / Rationale for adopting a pretest and repeated post-test design --- p.78 / Rationale for recruiting placebo-controlled groups --- p.79 / Quantitative approach --- p.81 / Sample --- p.81 / Accessible population --- p.81 / Sampling method and selection of participants --- p.82 / Sample size determination --- p.85 / Experimental intervention --- p.87 / Content of the experimental intervention --- p.87 / Integrity of experimental intervention --- p.92 / Qualification of the intervener --- p.92 / Consistency of implementation of intervention --- p.93 / Compliance of the participants to study instructions --- p.84 / Data collection --- p.95 / Study Instruments and records --- p.95 / Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptom Questionnaire (Cantonese Chinese for Hong Kong) (PAC-SYM) --- p.96 / Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life Questionnaire (Cantonese Chinese for Hong Kong) (PAC-QOL) --- p.97 / Abbreviated Mental Test (Hong Kong version; AMT) --- p.98 / Physical Activity Questionnaire (Hong Kong version; PAQ) --- p.98 / Screening for eligibility of the participant --- p.99 / Demographic and Clinical Data Sheet --- p.99 / Assessment of Clinical Syndrome of Constipation --- p.99 / Assessment of oral intake of Fruits and Vegetables (AFV) --- p.100 / Bowel Movement Record (BMR) --- p.100 / Drug Administration Record (DAR) --- p.101 / Data collection procedure --- p.101 / Qualitative approach --- p.104 / Rationale for adopting criterion sampling --- p.105 / Pilot Study --- p.106 / Feasibility of the sampling method --- p.107 / Feasibility of the data collection instruments and procedure --- p.107 / Feasibility of implementation of the study intervention --- p.108 / Characteristics of the pilot sample --- p.109 / Sample size recalculation --- p.113 / Appropriateness of the interview guide --- p.114 / Recommendations for the main study --- p.115 / Data Analysis --- p.115 / Quantitative data --- p.115 / Assessment of accuracy of data entry --- p.116 / Description of sample characteristics --- p.117 / Assessment of homogeneity of the study groups --- p.117 / Detection of the intervention effect --- p.118 / Justification for choosing parametric statistical tests over non-parametric statistical tests --- p.118 / Adoption of the Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) model --- p.119 / Rationale for adopting the GEE model --- p.119 / Choosing the appropriate link function and working correlation matrix --- p.121 / Control of possible covariates in data analysis --- p.123 / Qualitative data --- p.124 / Ethical considerations --- p.125 / Principle of respect for persons --- p.126 / Principle of beneficence --- p.127 / Principle of justice --- p.128 / Summary --- p.129 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- RESULTS / Introduction --- p.132 / Recruitment and characteristics of participants --- p.133 / Recruitment of participants --- p.133 / Characteristics of the participants --- p.137 / Characteristics of the study sample and homogeneity among study groups --- p.140 / Characteristics of the study sample --- p.141 / Homogeneity of the characteristics of participants who received and those who did not receive the intervention in the study --- p.145 / Homogeneity of the characteristics of participants in the experimental and the placebo-controlled groups --- p.145 / Complementary effects of auriculotherapy in managing constipation --- p.149 / Adopting the GEE model --- p.152 / Checking the missing data --- p.152 / Identifying the covariates --- p.152 / Choosing the appropriate link function --- p.153 / Choosing the appropriate working correlation matrix --- p.160 / Complementary effects of auriculotherapy on constipation symptoms and disease-specific HRQOL --- p.160 / Complementary effects of auriculotherapy on constipation symptoms --- p.161 / Constipation symptoms (PAC-SYM) --- p.161 / Subscales of constipation symptoms --- p.165 / Abdominal symptoms subscale --- p.165 / Rectal symptoms subscale --- p.168 / Stool symptoms subscale --- p.172 / Summary of the complementary effects of auriculotherapy on constipation symptoms --- p.175 / Complementary effects of auriculotherapy on disease-specific HRQOL --- p.177 / Disease-specific HRQOL (PAC-QOL) --- p.177 / Subscales of disease-specific HRQOL --- p.181 / Physical discomfort subscale --- p.181 / Psychosocial discomfort subscale --- p.185 / Worries and concerns subscale --- p.186 / Satisfaction subscale --- p.190 / Summary of the complementary effects of auriculotherapy on disease-specific HRQOL --- p.193 / Effect size calculation --- p.196 / Findings revealed from study records --- p.197 / Monitoring of the intervention dose --- p.198 / Change of bowel movement pattern --- p.198 / Change in drug administration --- p.200 / Reporting of side effects associated with auriculotherapy --- p.202 / Reporting of unexpected beneficial effects after receiving auriculotherapy --- p.202 / Qualitative findings revealed from interview --- p.203 / Recruitment of informants --- p.203 / Characteristics of the informants --- p.204 / Qualitative findings --- p.207 / Benefits of auriculotherapy in managing constipation --- p.208 / Minor discomforts associated with auriculotherapy --- p.210 / Life as usual with the use of auriculotherapy --- p.210 / Willingness to adopt and recommend auriculotherapy to others --- p.213 / Summary of the qualitative findings --- p.214 / Summary --- p.215 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- DISCUSSION / Introduction --- p.217 / Profile of participants --- p.217 / Demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants --- p.218 / Baselines outcome variables of the participants --- p.224 / Clinical value of auriculotherapy with magnetic pellets in managing constipation --- p.226 / Summary of the key findings --- p.226 / Complementary effects in relieving constipation symptoms and in promoting disease-specific HRQOL --- p.228 / Safe and well-accepted intervention --- p.236 / Culturally relevant care modality --- p.239 / Challenges associated with recruiting elderly participants --- p.241 / Strengths and limitations of the current study --- p.246 / Strengths of the study --- p.246 / Limitations of the study --- p.253 / Summary --- p.257 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- CONCLUSION / Introduction --- p.258 / Contribution of new knowledge to nursing --- p.258 / Implications for nursing practice --- p.259 / Clinical application of auriculotherapy in nursing practice --- p.261 / Strategies to promote integration of auriculotherapy into nursing practice --- p.263 / Implications for nursing research --- p.266 / Recommendations for further studies --- p.268 / Conclusion of the whole study --- p.269 / REFERENCES (ENGLISH) --- p.273 / REFERENCES (CHINESE) --- p.303

伴隨著改革開放開始的中國醫療改革由於受到過度市場化的影響，一直在質疑聲中前行。進入21世紀，社會醫療保障制度改革標誌著中國醫改「健康公平」之路的回歸。然而，在公平正義不斷被強調的口號背後，對「健康公平」的理論界定與實證研究仍然相對匱乏。 / 本研究從「弱者優先」的社會公義理論出發，重新將「健康公平」理論界定為「基於社會公義的健康平等」。研究員立於足后實證主義研究範式，綜合運用質化與量化研究方法，結合一手與二手數據分析，以浙江省為研究場域，探索以社會醫療保險改革為核心的醫療福利制度改革，對老年人「健康公平」所造成的影響。最終，確立了「底層健康公平」的價值選擇，並發展了多元健康公平的理論框架。 / 透過量化研究的主要發現，研究員的結論是要將健康公平問題從「機會公平」視角轉換為健康「結果公平」。另一重要的結論是不要單一關注社會醫療保險改革覆蓋面的擴大，更應關注不同保險項目之間福利待遇的公平性。透過多元線性回歸分析，研究員發現了醫療保險改革之後影響老年人健康水平的顯著因素：微觀層面的社會經濟地位與慢性病特徵，宏觀層面的保險因素與中觀層面的社會支持網絡。質化研究的採用將「健康公平」的討論從關注客觀的「健康結果」擴展為利益相關者主觀的公平性體驗。質化研究補充了政策制定者、基層醫生與弱勢老年人各自對「健康公平」的理解，進一步回答了「什麽是健康公平」，確立了本研究的底層視角。 / 混合研究進一步回答了社會醫療保險改革對老人「健康公平」的影響：雖然醫療保險改革提高了老人的「機會公平」，但這只是形式公平，改革在推動「過程公平」與「結果公平」這些實質公平的維度尚待探索。在醫療保險改革之後，進一步的路徑分析評估了「醫療服務使用」作為mediator的作用，呈現了與「健康水平」之間的負向因果關係。交互作用分析表明，如若改變弱勢老年人社群在「健康公平」中的弱勢地位，就需要社會醫療保險改革調節「醫療服務使用」與「健康水平」的關係；且澄清了不同社會醫療保險項目作為moderator的差別：城鎮職工基本醫療保險可以改善使用較多醫療服務的老人的健康水平，而新型農村合作醫療則起到相反的作用。在這些變量之間的關係背後，站在「弱者優先」的底層立場上，深入的質化研究補充了社會醫療保險改革對弱勢老人接受醫療服務與享受醫療福利待遇「過程公平」的缺失與「結果公平」的不足。 / 結合以上量化與質化研究發現，本研究識別出了「健康公平」多維度的影響因素（經濟地位、健康地位、社會關係網絡、身份地位、福利地位），建立了包括機會、結果和過程公平在內的多元的健康公平理論框架。並且綜合討論了「健康公平」理論的反思與重構，混合研究方法在評價醫療保障改革公平性實證研究中運用的可行性，並且倡導在政策制定中改變福利觀念，提出了如何進行公平的「全民醫保」政策改革，以及如何實現「以社區為中心的綜合健康服務與長期照顧體系」的政策創新。 / Along with the reform and opening up, the health reform in China had been continously challenged due to its excessive marketization. As the pioneer of a new round of health reform since 21st century, social health insurance reform reiterated ‘health equity’. Nevertheless, neither theoretical nor empirical studies were abundant behind the slogans for the advancement of equity and justice. / This thesis began with theory of social justice based on ‘give priority to the disadvantaged group’, redefining the concept of ‘health equity’ by ‘health equality on the basis of social justice’. Adopting of the paradigm of post-positivism, researcher chose quantitative-and-qualitative mixed method, and combined analysis of primary data and secondary data. This study has been located in Zhejiang province, intending to explore the impacts of health insurance reform along with health welfare system changes on health equity among the elderly. Researcher finally adopted the value choice of health equity for vulnerable groups, and developed a multi-dimension theoretical framework of ‘health equity’. / From the quantitative research findings, researcher modified the theory of health equity from concerning ‘equal opportunity’ to ‘equal outcome’. This research also contributed to a transition of health insurance studies from emphasis on expansion of ‘insurance coverage’ to the concerns with unequal benefit packages between different social insurance schemes. Multiple linear regression demonstrated significant predictors of older adults’ health outcome after health insurance reform, composing of socio-economic status and chronic disease in the micro-level, health insurance in the macro-level, and social support in the meso-level. Simultaneously, qualitative research explained diversive understandings of ‘health equity’ among policymakers, doctors who provide primary care and vulnerable older adults. The crucial question of ‘what is health equity’ has been answered, and that the ‘give priority to the disadvantaged group’ standpoint being reaffirmed. / Mixed method study further answered the research question of ‘what is impacts of health insurance reform on the health equity among the elderly’: Although health reform improved ‘opportunity equity’ for older adults as a kind of ‘form fairness’, it was still expected to explore other dimensions of ‘essential fairness’, such as ‘process equity’ and ‘result equity’. After health insurance reform, researcher employed path analysis to test mediator effects of ‘healthcare utilization’, which demonstrated negative causal relations with ‘health outcome’. Interaction effect analysis manifested a moderating effect of health insurance reform adjusting the relationship between ‘healthcare utilization’ and ‘health outcome’ with an attempt to improve social status for disadvantaged older groups. Interaction effects of different insurance schemes have been clarified as well: The Basic Medical Insurance for Urban Employees could improve health outcome of the elderly who use more health care services, whereas the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme played an opposite function. Under the background of these relations between variables, being standfast in vulnerabe groups’ stand, researcher adopted qualitative data to complement quantitative findings: The lack of ‘process equity’ and the short of ‘outcome equity’ during the process of interpreting accessibility to health care services and utilization. / In this dissertation, researcher also synthetically combined findings in quantitative and qualitative research, identified multiple predict factors of ‘health equity’ (economic status, health status, social networks, identity status and welfare status). All of above mentioned factors jointly composed and enriched multi-dimensional ‘health equity’ theoretical framework (including equitable opportunity, outcome and process). It also profoundly rethought and reconstructed ‘health equity’ theory, and evaluated efficiency and effectiveness of health insurance reform by using mixed research methods. Researcher advocated a transition of welfare ideology in the process of policy making, and recommended an ‘universal health insurance’ reform based on health equity, then initiated a ‘home and community based comprehensive health and long-term care service’ system. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / 劉曉婷. / "2013年3月". / "2013 nian 3 yue". / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 386-422). / Abstract in Chinese and English. / Liu Xiaoting. / 論文摘要 --- p.I / Abstract --- p.III / 致謝 --- p.VI / Chapter 第一部份 --- 研究背景 --- p.1 / Chapter 第一章 --- 導論 --- p.2 / Chapter 第一節 --- 研究的緣起 --- p.2 / Chapter 一、 --- 醫療改革中的公平性失守 --- p.3 / Chapter 二、 --- 醫改糾偏：重建社會公平的改革共識 --- p.6 / Chapter 三、 --- 聚焦老年人：醫療保障改革中的弱勢社群 --- p.10 / Chapter 四、 --- 研究場域：浙江醫改之路 --- p.12 / Chapter 第二節 --- 研究問題的提出 --- p.16 / Chapter 第三節 --- 研究的目標 --- p.19 / Chapter 一、 --- 從理論上對「健康公平」的界定與發展 --- p.19 / Chapter 二、 --- 從實證研究中識別「弱勢老年人」的社會結構、關係網絡與疾病風險特徵 --- p.20 / Chapter 三、 --- 通過混合研究方法探索醫療保險改革與老人健康公平的因果關係 --- p.21 / Chapter 四、 --- 探索建立「健康公平」研究的理論框架 --- p.21 / Chapter 第四節 --- 本文的結構 --- p.24 / Chapter 第二部份 --- 研究準備 --- p.27 / Chapter 第二章 --- 文獻回顧 --- p.28 / Chapter 第一節 --- 平等與公平 --- p.28 / Chapter 一、 --- 平等的主體與客體 --- p.29 / Chapter 二、 --- 公平的價值選擇 --- p.35 / Chapter 第二節 --- 基於社會公義的健康公平 --- p.41 / Chapter 一、 --- 健康公平的界定 --- p.41 / Chapter 二、 --- 健康公平的實現 --- p.48 / Chapter 三、 --- 底線公平 --- p.53 / Chapter 第三節 --- 醫療保險、醫療服務使用與健康水平的關係 --- p.58 / Chapter 一、 --- 文獻回顧與批評 --- p.58 / Chapter 二、 --- 對老年人健康水平認識的發展 --- p.64 / Chapter 第四節 --- 影響健康公平的社會決定因素 --- p.69 / Chapter 一、 --- 社會結構因素 --- p.69 / Chapter 二、 --- 社會網絡因素 --- p.78 / Chapter 第五節 --- 中國社會醫療保險制度改革 --- p.87 / Chapter 一、 --- 中國傳統醫療保障制度及其缺陷 --- p.87 / Chapter 二、 --- 社會醫療保險的道路選擇與發展 --- p.91 / Chapter 三、 --- 醫療保障制度改革對弱勢社群的排斥 --- p.102 / 本章小結 --- p.107 / Chapter 第三章 --- 方法論與反思 --- p.109 / Chapter 第一節 --- 研究範式：對後實證主義的理解 --- p.109 / Chapter 一、 --- 範式與範式轉移 --- p.109 / Chapter 二、 --- 證偽與後實證主義的運用 --- p.112 / Chapter 三、 --- 研究方法的層次與後實證主義的適用性 --- p.116 / Chapter 第二節 --- 混合研究方法 --- p.118 / Chapter 一、 --- 量化與質化研究各自的優缺點 --- p.118 / Chapter 二、 --- 選擇混合研究方法的理由 --- p.121 / Chapter 第三節 --- 分析單位：結構與能動者 --- p.124 / Chapter 一、 --- 結構與能動者 --- p.124 / Chapter 二、 --- 本研究的分析單位 --- p.128 / Chapter 第四節 --- 研究員的自我反省 --- p.130 / Chapter 一、 --- 對研究員個人社會特徵與經歷的反思 --- p.131 / Chapter 二、 --- 對研究員在學術場域中的位置的反思 --- p.135 / Chapter 三、 --- 對整個研究過程和研究方法的反思 --- p.137 / 本章小結 --- p.141 / Chapter 第四章 --- 研究框架與研究設計 --- p.142 / Chapter 第一節 --- 研究框架 --- p.142 / Chapter 第二節 --- 基本概念界定 --- p.146 / Chapter 一、 --- 社會醫療保險 --- p.146 / Chapter 二、 --- 弱勢老年人 --- p.148 / Chapter 三、 --- 醫療服務使用 --- p.149 / Chapter 四、 --- 健康水平 --- p.150 / Chapter 五、 --- 健康公平 --- p.151 / Chapter 第三節 --- 量化研究設計 --- p.153 / Chapter 一、 --- 研究假設 --- p.153 / Chapter 二、 --- 抽樣方法、問卷調查與二手數據分析 --- p.157 / Chapter 三、 --- 測量問題與分析模型 --- p.165 / Chapter 第四節 --- 質化研究設計 --- p.171 / Chapter 一、 --- 研究假設 --- p.171 / Chapter 二、 --- 樣本選擇與獲得進入 --- p.173 / Chapter 三、 --- 資料收集策略與分析方法 --- p.183 / Chapter 第五節 --- 研究的質素 --- p.190 / Chapter 一、 --- 量化與質化研究方法各自的信效度 --- p.190 / Chapter 二、 --- 混合研究方法的信效度：三角互證法 --- p.192 / 本章小結 --- p.197 / Chapter 第三部份 --- 研究發現 --- p.198 / Chapter 第五章 --- 量化研究發現 --- p.199 / Chapter 第一節 --- 改革前後被訪老人社會特徵的變化 --- p.199 / Chapter 一、 --- 基本特徵 --- p.200 / Chapter 二、 --- 社會經濟地位 --- p.204 / Chapter 三、 --- 社會支持網絡 --- p.208 / Chapter 第二節 --- 被訪老年人的健康水平與醫療服務使用情況 --- p.210 / Chapter 一、 --- 健康水平 --- p.210 / Chapter 二、 --- 醫療服務可及性及使用 --- p.220 / Chapter 第三節 --- 各保險項目參保老年人的健康不平等 --- p.227 / Chapter 一、 --- 各保險項目參保老年人的基本特徵 --- p.228 / Chapter 二、 --- 醫療保險類型與老年人的醫療服務使用 --- p.230 / Chapter 三、 --- 醫療保險類型與老年人的健康水平 --- p.233 / Chapter 第四節 --- 多元線性回歸分析：對健康水平的預測 --- p.236 / Chapter 一、 --- 建立多元線性回歸模型 --- p.239 / Chapter 二、 --- 多元線性回歸分析的結果 --- p.242 / 本章小結 --- p.248 / Chapter 第六章 --- 質化研究發現 --- p.250 / Chapter 第一節 --- 政策制定者：對形式公平與個人責任的強調 --- p.250 / Chapter 第二節 --- 基層醫生：因醫患矛盾和「付出-回報失衡」而產生的弱勢感 --- p.255 / Chapter 第三節 --- 弱勢老人：建立在「比較」基礎上的不公平感 --- p.259 / Chapter 一、 --- 農村老人與城鎮老人比較：社會福利不公平與弱勢地位的惡化 --- p.261 / Chapter 二、 --- 普通老人與離退休干部比較：身份地位差別引發的醫療服務不公平 --- p.264 / Chapter 三、 --- 只享受醫療保險的老人與低保對象比較：究竟誰更加弱勢？ --- p.266 / 本章小結：基於弱者優先的底線公平 --- p.271 / Chapter 第七章 --- 混合研究發現：醫療保險改革如何影響弱勢老人的健康公平 --- p.274 / Chapter 第一節 --- 浙江省社會醫療保障的改革實踐：機會公平 --- p.275 / Chapter 第二節 --- 路徑分析：醫療服務使用與健康水平的關係 --- p.279 / Chapter 一、 --- 醫療服務使用與健康水平的相關分析 --- p.280 / Chapter 二、 --- 路徑模型的建立、修正及結果 --- p.282 / Chapter 三、 --- 戶口-醫療服務使用-健康水平（最終的路徑模型） --- p.294 / Chapter 第三節 --- 交互作用分析：醫療保險的調節作用 --- p.299 / Chapter 一、 --- 「城鎮職工基本醫療保險」作為moderator --- p.299 / Chapter 二、 --- 「新型農村合作醫療」作為moderator --- p.302 / Chapter 第四節 --- 醫療保障制度改革中的過程公平與結果公平 --- p.306 / Chapter 一、 --- 過程公平：部門利益爭奪中「看病貴」問題喜憂參半的改革 --- p.306 / Chapter 二、 --- 結果公平：弱勢老人未被滿足的需要與不足夠的保障 --- p.310 / 本章小結 --- p.316 / Chapter 第四部份 --- 討論與結論 --- p.318 / Chapter 第八章 --- 討論 --- p.319 / Chapter 第一節 --- 「公平性」理論的反思與重構 --- p.319 / Chapter 一、 --- 反思醫療福利改革的理論基礎：對社會公義理論的發展 --- p.320 / Chapter 二、 --- 分析「底層健康公平」的理論機制：階層化身份地位差別的形成與變遷 --- p.325 / Chapter 第二節 --- 傳統微觀影響因素的再認識 --- p.332 / Chapter 一、 --- 健康水平：疾病風險變化與健康水平測量的發展 --- p.332 / Chapter 二、 --- 社會經濟地位：從關注收入轉向關注疾病的經濟負擔 --- p.334 / Chapter 三、 --- 戶籍狀況：影響的消除還是持續？ --- p.336 / Chapter 第三節 --- 結果公平的全民醫療保險制度改革 --- p.339 / Chapter 一、 --- 全民醫療保險的角色反思：從機會公平到結果公平 --- p.339 / Chapter 二、 --- 從醫療服務使用到健康結果：全民醫療保險的新路徑倡導 --- p.341 / Chapter 三、 --- 醫療保險改革與醫藥體制改革的互動 --- p.344 / Chapter 第四節 --- 以社區為中心的綜合健康服務與長期照顧體系初探 --- p.349 / Chapter 一、 --- 社會支持網絡：擴展的視角 --- p.349 / Chapter 二、 --- 美國社區健康中心與長期照顧服務的啟示 --- p.351 / Chapter 三、 --- 對中國建立社區綜合健康服務與長期照顧體系的啟示 --- p.355 / 本章小結 --- p.357 / Chapter 第九章 --- 結論與建議 --- p.359 / Chapter 第一節 --- 結論 --- p.359 / Chapter 一、 --- 「底層健康公平」價值選擇的特殊意涵 --- p.360 / Chapter 二、 --- 混合研究發現「過程公平」與「主觀公平」的重要性 --- p.362 / Chapter 三、 --- 健康公平社會影響因素的新變化與新發現 --- p.363 / Chapter 四、 --- 改革中醫療保險對健康公平的調節作用 --- p.364 / Chapter 第二節 --- 建議 --- p.367 / Chapter 一、 --- 醫療保障政策建議 --- p.367 / Chapter 二、 --- 醫療與醫藥政策的配合：推動「過程公平」的需要 --- p.371 / Chapter 三、 --- 社會醫療保險改革對醫療服務發展的啟示 --- p.373 / Chapter 第三節 --- 貢獻、局限與研究展望 --- p.375 / Chapter 一、 --- 本研究的貢獻 --- p.375 / Chapter 二、 --- 本研究的局限 --- p.379 / Chapter 三、 --- 未來的研究方向 --- p.381 / 結束語 --- p.384 / 參考文獻 --- p.386 / 附錄 --- p.423 / Chapter 附錄1. --- 調查問卷 --- p.423 / Chapter 附錄2. --- 數據使用協議 --- p.441 / Chapter 附錄3. --- 知情同意書 --- p.442 / Chapter 附錄4. --- 訪談提綱 --- p.443

心肺功能是其中一項體能特質，而對於進行較長時間的中至高劇烈程度運動十分重要，也會影響日常活動和健康。但是，還沒有研究香港華裔長者心肺功能水平及其與體能活動參與程度和健康的關條。 / 招募對象是從現有的兩個追蹤研究來的[男女骨折研究(n=998 和884 )和頸動脈粥樣硬化研究( 191 名婦女)， 70 - 79 歲年長男士最大攝氧量的參考範圖為22.3-23.0 毫升/分鐘/公斤(95%信賴區間) , 80 歲以上為19.2-20.2 毫升/分鐘/公斤。80 歲以上女性的參考範園為17.0-18.3 毫升/公斤/分鐘， 70-79 歲為19.3-20.0毫升/公斤/分鐘， 60-69 歲為2 1. 7-23.0 毫升/公斤/分鐘和年齡55-59 歲為22 .1 -23.8毫升/公斤/分鐘。男性的心肺功能與腰圍有相關性。<.0001) ，而女性的相關性還要加上體重(p<.02) ，與年齡有關的最大攝氧量衰退在男性為0.368 毫升/公斤/分鐘/年，而女性為0 .238 毫升/公斤/分鐘/年。 / 70 - 79 歲年長男士6 分鐘步行距離的參考範圍為453.3-466 公尺， 80 歲以上為382.6-403.3 公尺。80 歲以上女性的參考範圍為333.9-357.2公尺和年齡70-79 歲為396.1-406.8 公尺。6 分鐘步行距離與腰圍、身高和學歷有相關性(p:S:.05) ，與年齡有關的6 分鐘步行距離衰退在男性為9.06 公尺/年，而女性為7.35 公尺/年。從長者活動評估量表得出的體能活動參與程度被認為是與最大攝氧量成正相關(男性:r=.241，'女性:r=.214 )和6 分鐘步行距離(男性: r=.257，女性:r=.1 84) 。長者日常步行時間越長最大攝氧量和6 分鐘步行距離較佳(p≤01) ，進行劇烈運動的女性有正常最大攝氧量的機會較高(p=.041) 。男性能符合美國運動醫學學院或香港衛生署指引的明顯比不能達到指引的有較好的心肺功能。能達到指引的男性有1. 68 倍的概率有正常的心肺功能。回溯性研究追查過去的PASE 分數與現在最大攝氧量的相關性，反應出過去的體能活動參與程度對現在的心肺功能影響隨時間減少(男性由目前回到7 年前: r=0.241、0.168、0.120; 女性: r= .214、0.106、0.069 )。 / 患有高血壓男性的最大攝氧量和6 分鐘步行距離較差(p=.014) ，曾患有心肌硬塞或心絞痛男性和糖尿病女性的6 分鐘步行距離較差(p<.04) 。最大攝氧量分別與由社區認知篩選工具評估的男性認知水平（r=.107)和男女長者憂鬱量表分數男性:r=-.112 ，女性: r=-.123) 有相關性。另一方面， 6 分鐘步行距離被發現分別與簡易智能狀態測驗p<.02) 、男性的社區認知篩選工具(p=.046)的認知級別和男女長者憂鬱量表的抑鬱狀態p<.04)有差別。 / 最大攝氧量和6分鐘步行距離的年齡調整相關性連中高程度(男性:R=.459、女性: R=.425) 。除了與最大攝氧量有滿意的相關性，6分鐘步行距離與精神健康有比較密切的相關性。6分鐘步行距離可作為香港華裔長者最大攝氧量的體能代表值。 / Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is one of the main attributes which is important toper form moderate-to-high intensity exercise for prolonged periods which affects daily activities as well as health. However, there are no studies among HK Chinese Elders' CRF and the relationship between this important parameter of physical fitness, PA participation and health outcomes. / By recruiting subjects from two existing cohort studies, the Osteoporetic Fractures in Men & Women Study (n=998 & 884 respectively) and the Carotid Atherosclerosis Study (191 women), the reference ranges of VO₂ peak for men were 22.3-23.0ml/min/kg (95% C.I.) at age 70-79y, and 19.2-20.2 ml/min/kg at age ≥80y. Forwomen, the reference range at age ≥80y was 17.0-18.3 ml/kg/min, 70-79y was19.3-20.0 ml/kg/min, 60-69y was 21.7-23.0 ml/kg/min and for age 55-59y was22.1-23.8 ml/kg/min. Men's VO₂ peak was associated with waist circumference(WC, p<.000l) while women's VO₂ peak additionally associated with weight (p<.02).There was an age-related decline in VO₂ peak at 0.368 ml/kg/minly in men and 0.238ml/kg/minly in women. / The reference ranges of 6MWD for men were 453.3-466.6m (95% C.I.) at age 70-79y, and 382.6-403.3m at age ≥80y. For women, the reference range at age 80≥y was 333.9-357.2m and for age 70-79y was 396.1-406.8 ml/kg/min. 6MWD was associated with WC, height and education (p≤.05). There was an age-related decline in 6MWD at 9.06m/y in men and 7.35m/y in women. / Elders' participation in PA assessed by the Physical Activity Scale for Elderly (PASE), was positively correlated with VO₂ peak (r=.241 in men, r=.214 in women) and 6MWD (r=.257 in men, r=.184 in women). Elderly walked more everyday have better VO₂peak and longer 6MWD (p≤ .0l). Women did more strenuous sport had higher chance of having normal CRF (p=.041). Men who met the guidelines by American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) & Department of Health (DH), HK had better VO₂ peak than those who failed to meet that guidelines (p<.005). By following the PA guidelines, men had a 1.68-fold probability having normal CRF. A novel approach to retrospectively explore the correlation between the past PASE score and the present VO₂ peak revealed that the effect of past PA participation diminished with time (correlations for men from present, 4y and 7y ago: r=.241, .168, .120; for women r=.214, .106, .069). / Men with hypertension had significantly lower V02 peak and shorter 6MWD (p<.03). Men with history of myocardial infarction and angina also walked shorter in 6MWT while women only with diabetes had shorter 6MWD (p<.04). CRF was found to be correlated with cognitive level in men estimated by CSI-D (p<.0001) and GDS-15 score in both genders (r=-.112 in men, r=-.123 in women). On the other hand, 6MWD was found to be different across cognitive status estimated by MMSE (p<.02) & CSI-D (p=.046 in men only), and depression status estimated by GDS-15 (p<.04) in both genders. / Age-adjusted correlation between VO₂ peak & 6MWD was moderately high (R=.459 in men; R=.425 in women). In addition to the satisfactory correlation with VO₂ peak, stronger associations were found 6MWD, cognitive and mental health. It was suggested 6MWD might be a feasible surrogate for VO₂ peak as a physical fitness measure among HK Chinese elderly. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Yau, Chung Fai Forrest. / "December 2011." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 215-237). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese; appendix in Chinese. / ABSTRACT (IN ENGLISH) --- p.I / ABSTRACT (IN CHINESE) --- p.IV / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT --- p.VI / LIST OF CONTENTS --- p.VII / LIST OF TABLES --- p.XII / SELECTED ABBREVIATIONS --- p.XV / Chapter 1 --- BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- OUTLINES OF THE THESIS --- p.4 / Chapter 2 --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.6 / Chapter 2.1 --- ELDERLY POPULATIONS --- p.6 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Health --- p.6 / Chapter 2.1.1.1 --- Hypertension, Coronary Heart Disease & Stoke --- p.8 / Chapter 2.1.1.2 --- Diabetes --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1.1.3 --- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease --- p.11 / Chapter 2.1.1.4 --- Cognitive Function --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1.1.5 --- Depression --- p.13 / Chapter 2.2 --- THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PA & HEALTH --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Participation in PA --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.1.1 --- PA Recommendation --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Indirect Estimation ofPA Participation --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.2.1 --- Physical Activity Scale for Elderly. --- p.26 / Chapter 2.3. --- PHYSICAL FITNESS & HEALTH. --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Definition of Physical Fitness. --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.1.1 --- Cardiorespiratory Fitness --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Direct Assessment of Physical Fitness --- p.33 / Chapter 2.3.2.1 --- Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test --- p.33 / Chapter 2.3.2.1.1 --- Affordable Device for CPET --- p.35 / Chapter 2.3.2.2 --- Six Minutes Walk Test --- p.36 / Chapter 3 --- MATERIALS & METHODS --- p.39 / Chapter 3.1 --- SUBJECTS --- p.39 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Subjects Source --- p.39 / Chapter 3.1.1.1 --- The Osteoporetic Fractures in Men & Women Study --- p.39 / Chapter 3.1.1.2 --- Carotid Atherosclerosis Study --- p.40 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Follow up Situation --- p.40 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Ethical Consideration --- p.41 / Chapter 3.2 --- INSTRUMENTATION --- p.41 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Questionnaire --- p.41 / Chapter 3.2.1.1 --- Medical History --- p.41 / Chapter 3.2.1.2 --- Smoking Habit --- p.41 / Chapter 3.2.1.3 --- Cognitive & Mental Health --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2.1.3.1 --- Cantonese Mini Mental State Examination & Community Screening Instrument for Dementia --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2.1.3.2 --- Geriatric Depression Scale-15 --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2.1.4 --- Physical Activity Scale for Elderly --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2.1.5 --- Veteran Specific Activity Questionnaire --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Physical Measurements --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2.2.1 --- Height, Weight & Fat Percentage --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2.2.2 --- Waist, Hip Circumferences & WHR --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2.2.3 --- Blood Pressure --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2.2.4 --- Electrocardiograph --- p.46 / Chapter 3.2.3. --- Fitness Tests --- p.46 / Chapter 3.2.3.1 --- Cardiopuhuonary Exercise Test --- p.46 / Chapter 3.2.3.1.1 --- Exclusion Criteria --- p.46 / Chapter 3.2.3.1.2 --- PreTest Consideration --- p.47 / Chapter 3.2.3.1.3 --- Test Sequence & Measures --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2.3.1.4 --- Test Tennination Criteria --- p.49 / Chapter 3.2.3.2 --- Six Minutes Walk Test --- p.50 / Chapter 3.2.3.2.1 --- Six Minute Walk Test Sequence --- p.50 / Chapter 3.3 --- STATISTICS --- p.52 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Description of Variables --- p.52 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- General Statistical Method --- p.53 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Comparison between VO₂ peak & 6MWD Relationship with other Variables --- p.54 / Chapter 4 --- RESULTS --- p.56 / Chapter 4.1 --- RESPONSE & PARTICIPATION OF SUBJECTS --- p.56 / Chapter 4.2 --- DEMOGRAPHIC PROPERTIES --- p.63 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Men --- p.63 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Women --- p.68 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Sample Representativeness --- p.71 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Physical Measurements --- p.75 / Chapter 4.2.4.1 --- Peak Oxygen Uptake --- p.75 / Chapter 4.2.4.2 --- Correlations with Demographic Properties --- p.82 / Chapter 4.2.4.2.1 --- Mean VO₂ peak in Different WC Status --- p.83 / Chapter 4.2.4.2.2 --- Reference Range across Age Groups 98 --- p.84 / Chapter 4.2.4.2.3 --- Mllltivariat Analysis of VO₂ peak --- p.86 / Chapter 4.2.4.3 --- Six Minutes Walk Test --- p.88 / Chapter 4.2.4.3.1 --- UnivariateAnalysis with Demographic Properties --- p.90 / Chapter 4.2.4.3.2 --- Mean 6MWD by WC Status --- p.92 / Chapter 4.2.4.3.3 --- Reference Range by Age Groups --- p.92 / Chapter 4.2.4.3.4 --- Multivariate analysis of 6MWD --- p.94 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Physical Activity Scale for Elderly --- p.96 / Chapter 4.2.5.1 --- Univariate Analysis with Demographic Properties --- p.97 / Chapter 4.2.5.2 --- Reference Range across Age Groups --- p.98 / Chapter 4.2.5.3 --- Reference Range of PASE --- p.99 / Chapter 4.2.5.4 --- Multivariate Analysis of PASE --- p.100 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Cognitive & Mental Scores --- p.101 / Chapter 4.2.6.1 --- Community Screening Instrument for Dementia --- p.101 / Chapter 4.2.6.2 --- Mini-Mental State Examination --- p.102 / Chapter 4.2.6.3 --- Geriatric Depression Scale-15 --- p.103 / Chapter 4.3 --- CORRELATIONS OF CRF TESTS --- p.104 / Chapter 4.3.1.1 --- Relationship between 6MWD & VO₂ peak --- p.104 / Chapter 4.3.1.1.1 --- Pearson Correlation between 6MWD & VO₂ peak --- p.104 / Chapter 4.4 --- CRF & LIFESTYLES --- p.106 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- How PA correlates with CRF --- p.107 / Chapter 4.4.1.1 --- Relationship between PASE& VO₂ Peak --- p.107 / Chapter 4.4.1.1.1 --- Pearson Correlation between PASE & V02 peak. --- p.107 / Chapter 4.4.1.1.2 --- Mean VO₂ peak by Quartiles of PASE --- p.109 / Chapter 4.4.1.1.3 --- Mean PASE scores by VO₂ peak status --- p.110 / Chapter 4.4.1.1.4 --- Relationship between PASE leisure activities & VO₂ peak --- p.111 / Chapter 4.4.1.1.5 --- Time spent daily on PASE leisure activities by VO₂ peak status --- p.113 / Chapter 4.4.1.2 --- Relationship between PASE & 6MWD --- p.116 / Chapter 4.4.1.2.1 --- Mean 6MWD by Quartiles of PASE --- p.118 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Relationship between CRF & Recommended PA Guidelines --- p.119 / Chapter 4.4.2.1 --- ACSM Guidelines --- p.119 / Chapter 4.4.2.2 --- HKDH Guidelines --- p.121 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Does PASE in the Past Predict Present Maximal Oxygen Uptake --- p.122 / Chapter 4.4.3.1 --- Pearson Correlation between PASE at 3y before & Present VO₂ peak --- p.122 / Chapter 4.4.3.2 --- Pearson Correlation between PASE at 7y before & Present VO₂ peak --- p.124 / Chapter 4.5 --- CRF & HEALTH --- p.126 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- CRF & Physical Health --- p.126 / Chapter 4.5.1.1 --- Relationship between VO₂ peak & Medical History --- p.126 / Chapter 4.5.1.2 --- Relationship between 6MWD and medical history --- p.129 / Chapter 4.5.1.2.1 --- Mean 6MWD of men by chronic diseases --- p.130 / Chapter 4.5.1.2.2 --- Mean 6MWD of women by diabetes --- p.134 / Chapter 4.5.1.3 --- Comparison between VO₂ peak & 6MWD relationship with medical history --- p.135 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- CRF & Cognitive Function --- p.137 / Chapter 4.5.2.1 --- Relationship between MMSE& VO₂ Peak --- p.137 / Chapter 4.5.2.1.1 --- Pearson Correlation betweenMMSE & VO₂ peak --- p.137 / Chapter 4.5.2.1.2 --- Mean VO₂ peak by MMSE Status --- p.139 / Chapter 4.5.2.2 --- Relationship between MMSE & 6MWD --- p.141 / Chapter 4.5.2.2.1. --- Pearson Correlation between MMSE & 6MWD --- p.141 / Chapter 4.5.2.2.2 --- Mean 6MWD by MMSE category --- p.143 / Chapter 4.5.2.3 --- Relationship between CSID & VO₂ peak --- p.144 / Chapter 4.5.2.3.1 --- Pearson Correlation between CSID & VO₂ peak --- p.144 / Chapter 4.5.2.3.2 --- Mean VO₂ peak by CSID Classification --- p.146 / Chapter 4.5.2.4 --- Relationship between CSID & 6MWD --- p.147 / Chapter 4.5.2.4.1 --- Pearson Correlation between CSID & 6MWD --- p.147 / Chapter 4.5.2.4.2 --- Mean 6MWD by CSID Classification --- p.149 / Chapter 4.5.2.5 --- Comparison between VO₂ peak & 6MWD relationship with Cognitive Function --- p.150 / Chapter 4.5.2.5.1 --- Pearson Correlation between MMSE & 6MWD --- p.151 / Chapter 4.5.2.5.2 --- Mean 6MWD by MMSE category --- p.151 / Chapter 4.5.2.5.3 --- Pearson Correlation between CSID & 6MWD --- p.152 / Chapter 4.5.2.5.4 --- Mean 6MWD by CSID Classification --- p.153 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- CRF & Depression --- p.154 / Chapter 4.5.3.1 --- Relationship between GDS & VO₂ peak --- p.154 / Chapter 4.5.3.1.1 --- Speannan Correlation between GDS & VO₂ peak --- p.154 / Chapter 4.5.3.1.2 --- Logistic Regression Analysis --- p.154 / Chapter 4.5.3.2. --- Relationship between GDS & 6MWD --- p.156 / Chapter 4.5.3.2.1. --- Spearman Correlation between GDS & 6MWD --- p.156 / Chapter 4.5.3.2.2. --- Mean 6MWD by depression status. --- p.156 / Chapter 4.5.3.3. --- Comparison between VO₂ peak & 6MWD relationship with GDS --- p.158 / Chapter 4.5.3.3.1. --- Pears on Correlation between GDS & 6MWD --- p.158 / Chapter 4.5.3.3.2. --- Mean 6MWD by depression status --- p.158 / Chapter 5 --- DISCUSSION --- p.160 / Chapter 5.1 --- INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS --- p.160 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- Physical Fitness --- p.160 / Chapter 5.1.1.1 --- Cardiorespiratory Fitness --- p.160 / Chapter 5.1.1.1.1 --- Mode for CPET --- p.160 / Chapter 5.1.1.1.2 --- Criteria for VO₂ peak --- p.161 / Chapter 5.1.1.1.3 --- Reference Range of VO₂ peak among HK elderly --- p.164 / Chapter 5.1.1.1.4 --- Age Related Decline in VO₂ peak --- p.169 / Chapter 5.1.1.1.5 --- Repeatability of Measurements using FitMate[superscript TM] Pro --- p.170 / Chapter 5.1.1.1.6 --- Smoking --- p.170 / Chapter 5.1.1.2 --- Six Minutes Walk Test --- p.171 / Chapter 5.1.1.2.1 --- Reference Range of 6MWD among HK Elderly --- p.172 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- How Estimated PA Level Correlated to CRF --- p.173 / Chapter 5.1.2.1 --- CRF &PA --- p.174 / Chapter 5.1.2.2 --- CRF & Leisure Activities --- p.176 / Chapter 5.1.3 --- Elderly CRF of those who met Recommended PA Guidelines --- p.177 / Chapter 5.1.4 --- Could Past PA Participation Predict Present CRF --- p.180 / Chapter 5.1.5 --- Health --- p.181 / Chapter 5.1.5.1 --- Physical Health --- p.181 / Chapter 5.1.5.2 --- Dementia --- p.185 / Chapter 5.1.5.2.1 --- Community Screening Instrument for Dementia --- p.186 / Chapter 5.1.5.2.2 --- Mini-Mental State Examination --- p.188 / Chapter 5.1.5.2.3 --- Possible Mechanisms of Cognitive Decline & Benefits ofPA --- p.191 / Chapter 5.1.5.3. --- Depression --- p.193 / Chapter 5.1.5.3.1 --- Possible Mechanism of Depression & Benefits of PA --- p.197 / Chapter 5.1.6 --- 6MWD, a Better Physical Fitness Surrogate than VO₂ peak --- p.200 / Chapter 5.2 --- LIMITATIONS AND STRENGTH --- p.205 / Chapter 5.3 --- FUTURE STUDIES --- p.210 / Chapter 6 --- CONCLUSION --- p.211 / Chapter 7 --- REFERENCES --- p.215 / APPENDIX --- p.238

Background & Objective: Acute gastroenteritis (AG) outbreak in elderly homes is common in Hong Kong, especially during the winter. Although mainly a self-limiting condition, the associated short-term as well as long-term medical and social costs can be extensive. This case-control study aims to investigate the hygienic risk factors related to infectious AG in elderly homes at both institutional and individual levels. Predictor variables under investigation include hand wash practice, infection control practice, routine institutional hygienic practice, food handling practice, and environmental factors such as the home setting, ventilation measures and isolation room setting. / Conclusions: This study found that 'sometimes or never wash hands after toilet' was a significant personal hygienic risk factor for AG transmission. This indicated that toilet may be the most susceptible place and hands are the most susceptible vehicle for AG transmission in Hong Kong elderly homes. A higher percentage of the NOHs had a more frequent routine cleaning practice than the OHs, demonstrating that routine cleaning practice may be an economical and an effective way to prevent AG infection. / Methods: All the elderly homes in the New Territories East were invited to take part in the study. A total of 34 homes and 2,995 residents were recruited in the study sample. The data collection period was from Dec 2007 to May 2009. Cases were notified within one week after a reported AG case, either by a report from the elderly home in question, the weekly check up with the New Territories East Community Geriatric Assessment Teams (NTE CGATs), regular contact with the elderly homes by the research assistant and case referrals from the Accident and Emergency Department from the Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH). One hundred and forty cases and 280 matched controls were recruited. For every AG case reported, two sex and age (within 5 years) and elderly home matched controls were selected. Structured questionnaires were conducted in face-to-face interviews in the elderly homes by trained interviewers. Information about the ventilation and the environmental hygiene of the elderly homes was collected by observation from the research team at the beginning of the study. Descriptive analysis was performed for the characteristics of cases and controls. Multivariate and multilevel logistic regression models were applied and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for the potential hygienic risk factors. / Results: Multiple conditional logistic regression analysis revealed 'sometimes or never wash hands after toilet' OR:3.09 (95%CI: 1.28 -- 7.42) [ref gp: wash hands every time after toilet] was the major significant risk factor for AG in elderly homes, indicating the possible route of person-to-person transmission. Other significant risk factors included: Self-nutrition evaluation as 'not enough' (OR: 2.07; 95%CI: 1.05 -- 4.06), 'Being hospitalized in past month before the interview' (OR: 2.86; 95%CI: 1.16 -- 7.05), 'Simplified Barthel Index scored &lt;15" (OR: 2.63; 1.06 -- 6.53), and 'Alzheimer's' (OR: 2.75; 95% 1.18 -- 6.40). The institutional hygiene factors were investigated based on the descriptive analysis between the outbreak homes (OHs) and the non-outbreak homes (NOHs). The results indicated that the health worker (HW) to resident ratio was much lower in OHs than NOHs (50% OHs: 1:30-55 vs > 80% NOHs:1:10-29), and a higher percentage of the NOHs had a more frequent routine cleaning practice than the OHs. / Fung, Pui Kwan. / Adviser: Ho Suzanne Sutying. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-02, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 182-206). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Wong, King Moses. / "August 2010." / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 158-172). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter Chapter One: --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Background --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Research objectives --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3 --- Research hypothesis --- p.7 / Chapter 1.4 --- Research questions --- p.7 / Chapter 1.5 --- Research structure --- p.9 / Chapter Chapter Two: --- Literature Review --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1 --- "Health geography: knowledge of population, people, places and health" --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2 --- Understanding geographies of diseases: mapping and modeling diseases and health --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3 --- Healthcare services provision and utilization --- p.22 / Chapter 2.4 --- Hong Kong: facts and context --- p.31 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Demographics --- p.32 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Key challenges arising from population ageing --- p.37 / Chapter 2.4.2.1 --- Implications to medico-social agenda --- p.38 / Chapter 2.4.2.2 --- Implications to health status --- p.38 / Chapter 2.4.2.3 --- Implications to disease pattern --- p.39 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Healthcare service delivery system in Hong Kong --- p.41 / Chapter 2.4.3.1 --- Financing and expenditure --- p.42 / Chapter 2.4.3.2 --- Organizational framework and healthcare policy --- p.44 / Chapter 2.4.3.3 --- Healthcare resources --- p.49 / Chapter 2.4.3.4 --- Utilization and provision of public healthcare services --- p.50 / Chapter Chapter Three: --- Material & Methods --- p.55 / Chapter 3.1 --- Background of main source of data --- p.55 / Chapter 3.2 --- Sources of data --- p.57 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Hospital services utilization data --- p.57 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Healthcare resources data --- p.61 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Population data --- p.62 / Chapter 3.3 --- Spatial scale of analysis --- p.62 / Chapter 3.4 --- Statistical analyses --- p.63 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Service utilization ratios --- p.63 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Provision of healthcare resources to population --- p.65 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Adequacy of healthcare services provision --- p.65 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- Mortality analysis --- p.67 / Chapter 3.4.5 --- Multi-level analysis --- p.69 / Chapter 3.4.6 --- Mapping of health services utilization ratio and mortality ratio --- p.70 / Chapter 3.5 --- Statistical packages used --- p.73 / Chapter 3.6 --- Cautions on interpretation --- p.74 / Chapter 3.6.1 --- Confounding and ecological fallacy --- p.74 / Chapter 3.6.2 --- Problem with the use of Standardized Mortality Ratio --- p.75 / Chapter 3.6.3 --- Problem with mapping and visualization --- p.76 / Chapter Chapter Four: --- Results --- p.78 / Chapter 4.1 --- Socio-spatial variation in mortality --- p.78 / Chapter 4.2 --- Statistical analysis and mapping of health services utilization ratio --- p.80 / Chapter 4.3 --- Statistical and cartographic analysis in Standardized Mortality Ratio --- p.88 / Chapter 4.4 --- Provision of healthcare resources to population --- p.91 / Chapter 4.5 --- "Multi-level analysis of hospital services utilization, provision and mortality" --- p.92 / Chapter 4.6 --- Further analysis --- p.95 / Chapter Chapter Five: --- Discussion --- p.100 / Chapter 5.1 --- Geographic variations in health services utilization ratios --- p.101 / Chapter 5.2 --- Geographic variation in Standardized Mortality Ratio --- p.107 / Chapter 5.3 --- "Multi-level models on health services utilization, provision and mortality" --- p.121 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Socio-demographic characteristics of health services utilization --- p.121 / Chapter 5.3.1.1 --- Age --- p.121 / Chapter 5.3.1.2 --- Gender --- p.124 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Health services utilization in relation to services provision --- p.129 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Health services utilization in relation to mortality --- p.132 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Adequacy of healthcare services provision --- p.134 / Chapter 5.3.4.1 --- Adequacy of hospital care provision --- p.134 / Chapter 5.3.4.2 --- Adequacy of primary care provision --- p.139 / Chapter 5.4 --- Implications --- p.143 / Chapter 5.5 --- Strengths of study --- p.146 / Chapter 5.6 --- Limitations of study --- p.148 / Chapter 5.7 --- Recommendations for future research --- p.151 / Chapter Chapter Six: --- Conclusion --- p.154 / References --- p.158

Aging in the new millennium is greatly influenced by both global and region-specific factors. In Asia, the aged population is increasing at a faster rate than both Europe and North America, making issues related to older adults needing immediate attention of researchers & planners. This study aims at identifying the predictors of successful aging. Successful aging as a construct often has an integration of good social engagement, sense of purpose in life, maintaining cognitive capacity and functional autonomy. One hundred fifty participants in India completed the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, Geriatric Depression Scale, Health Awareness Schedule, and the Leisure Time Activity Record. Firstly, it is mainly evident that social support network is larger for older adults residing in a joint family as compared to a nuclear family setup. Further, married males in a joint family have the largest network size compared to all the other groups. The study however, reveals an interesting reverse trend of widowed females having a larger network size compared to widowed males. Statistical analysis found measures of successful aging to be highly correlated with each other, with subjective health and depression being significant predictors of life satisfaction. Further, life satisfaction, depression levels, and leisure time activities were all significant predictors of subjective health. Significant gender differences were found on life satisfaction and subjective health with married males living in joint families reporting the highest scores on all the above measures. In addition, widowed women showed the highest levels of depression, which relates to their lower life satisfaction, poor ratings of health and low involvement in leisure activities. The study achieved a higher understanding of successful aging and presented a novel finding of educational level being significantly correlated with all measures of successful aging. This study is the first of its kind to measure successful aging in an urban Asian-Indian population. However, more research is needed to examine other age-related variations to enable generalization of results to a larger culturally diverse population.

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Older people can be defined in different ways depending on the country’s social policies and also their health status. The health interventions overlook the vulnerability of older people regarding their individual health needs and their general susceptibility to chronic illnesses. Increasing economic disparities between races and inequalities in access to health services despite a large expansion in government social grants is another growing challenge. The major socio-economic changes has also contributed and enhanced the health challenges of older people in rural areas. This study aims to investigate the health perceptions and experiences of older people in rural areas and explore the factors that influence the quality of health of older people in South Africa. The study relied on focus group interviews (FGIs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) to acquire an in-depth assessment and overall understanding of the life course and health perceptions of older people. Results reveal that even though health has evolved in South Africa over time, more challenges continue to affect the health of older people in rural areas where there are constant issues of low socio-economic status, poverty, migration and poor education attainment. The findings also suggest that, under the new political power there has been a change in the management of health care systems. Older people in KwaDumisa also face challenges with access to health care facilities.