Background: One of the common complications of stroke is dysphagia. Dysphagia can be a disabling problem with negative psycho-social consequences. The effect of dysphagia on quality-of-life is not well understood among the stroke survivors. The Chinese version of Swallow Quality-of-Life Questionnaire can be a reliable instrument to provide a multidimensional evaluation on the impact of post-stroke dysphagia in the population of Hong Kong Chinese older adults. Objective: To investigate factors associated with the swallowing-related quality-of-life in Hong Kong Chinese older adults with the history of stroke during the post-acute phase, using a disease-specific quality-of-life questionnaire (CSWAL-QOL). Method: This was a cross-sectional study of 92 stroke survivors, aged over 55. They were recruited from the inpatient wards and out-patient clinics. They were assessed for any dysphagia and its severity by the bedside swallow assessment. The Mini-Mental State Examination and the Chinese version of Swallow Quality-of-Life Questionnaire were used for cognitive and quality-of-life assessment respectively. Results: The test-retest reliability of the test was moderately correlated (Spearman’s rho 0.62).Participants on modified diet/fluid, on tube-feeding, older age and post-stroke for 1-2 years were observed to have lower CSWAL-QOL score across scales. Conclusion: The effect of ageing appeared to be a factor affecting swallowing-related QOL in stroke survivors, with better QOL in younger participants(age ranged from 55 to 69) and similar QOL in old (age ranged from 70 to 85) and very old (age above 85)participants. No gradual change of QOL was found as post-stroke duration increases. The oral feeding mode and normal food and fluid consistency resulted a better QOL in stroke survivors. / published_or_final_version / Medicine / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal disorder in humans. It is associated with various medical, social and developmental issues affecting all stages of life. Most people with DS now live to adulthood. However, limited data is available on the medical and social concerns and the impacts on their quality of life. In this study, my primary aim was to study the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Chinese with DS in Hong Kong. Secondarily, 2 other important aspects of medical care and counseling for people with DS were explored: the level of satisfaction in the transition from paediatric to adult medical care, and how language choice in medical settings can be of great significance to caretakers and families. In collaboration with Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association, a proxy-assessment survey was designed and administered to parents or caregivers of people with DS. I used the Health Utilities Index (HUI) to measure the HRQoL of people with DS. Logistic Regression Model was employed to estimate the associations between HRQoL scores and various physical and developmental-behavioural morbidities. The findings on the survey of service satisfaction and sensitive language are summarized quantitatively. I recruited 116 Chinese people with DS (n = 63 male; age ranged from 5 to 53). More than 50% of the subjects scored in the severe range on the HUI disability scale. Behavioural problems (HUI2) and hearing problems (HUI2 and HUI3) were statistically significant predictors (p-value<0.05) for a less favorable HRQoL score. A statistically significant inverse dose response relationship was observed between the HRQoL scores and the number of developmental-behaviour problems, as well as the number of chronic health problems. Satisfaction of service rated by caretakers reveals that >80% felt accessibility and coordination of both medical and social service were better when the subjects were in their childhood. Sixty percent felt that transition care is lacking and nearly 90% felt that caring for a person with DS is more difficult as they age. For the exploratory survey on language choice in medical setting, most participants rated ‘成為負擔 become a burden’ (82%), ‘冇用 useless’ (77%), ‘冇希望 hopeless’ (77%) and ‘唔正常 abnormal’ (76%) as offensive. Alternative words suggested include ‘可能需要特別指導及訓練 may need special guidance and training’ and ‘特殊 special’ instead of ‘成為負擔 become a burden’ and ‘唔正常 abnormal’ respectively. On the other hand, the least rated offensive words were ‘染色體異常 chromosome deviant’ (35%), “發育遲緩 growth delay” (35%) and ‘傷殘人士 handicapped person’ (34%). Medical and social issues addressed will be useful for health care providers, genetic counselors, and parents or caregivers to gain a broader perspective of the realistic outcome of individuals with DS under the healthcare infrastructure available in Hong Kong. This knowledge is important to inform expectations of families, improve communication between families and health care professionals, and to facilitate the design of targeted interventions to improve quality of life for people with this common genetic disorder. / published_or_final_version / Obstetrics and Gynaecology / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

Objective: To investigate the denture care practices, denture-related problems, and denture-related quality of life of elderly denture wearers in Hong Kong. Method: The study population was elders aged 60 or above, living in the community, had self-care ability, and no serious systemic diseases. Elders attending elderly social centres in different districts in Hong Kong were recruited and face-to-face interviews were conducted by three trained interviewers using a pilot-tested structured questionnaire. Result: 216 elders (45 men and 171 women) with a mean age of 77.2±7.6 years were interviewed in the survey. Most (54%) of them had worn denture for more than 10 years, and most elders were satisfied with the denture they were wearing. The vast majority (92%) wore denture to improve mastication; and among them, 71% thought their denture was of great help. Over 85% wore their denture for a whole day but removed it before sleep. Only 13% had used denture adhesive and nearly half (45%) of these elders found it not helpful. They usually used a toothbrush (70%) and toothpaste (58%) to clean their denture. Proportionally more female than male denture wearers cleaned their denture more than twice daily (50% vs. 24%, p<0.001). Half of the elders also used denture cleansing agent. Poor denture stability and compromised chewing ability were the two most common problems (around 55%) which affected these elders. However, most of them either did not tackle the problem or just changed their diet. Two thirds or more (66-82%) of the elderly reported no negative denture-related impacts on their quality of life. Conclusion: Most of the community-dwelling elderly denture wearers in Hong Kong are satisfied with their denture and their quality of life is seldom negatively affected by their denture. Their dental care practices are satisfactory but they should seek professional care when denture problems arise. / published_or_final_version / Community Dentistry / Master / Master of Science in Community Dentistry

Recent medical advances in cancer screening and treatments have led to dramatically decreasing mortality rates from cancer among children and adolescents. However, the cancer itself and the adverse effects of treatments remain severely devastating to their physical and psychological well-being, both during and after treatments. Numerous studies have demonstrated that regular physical activity is related to various physiological and psychological benefits for children and adolescents under cancer treatments. Nevertheless, a review of the literature reveals that children and adolescents commonly present declining levels of physical activity throughout their cancer treatments. There is so far no study has investigated the physical activity level and behaviour in particular, the influencing factors affecting the physical activity level among Hong Kong Chinese children and adolescents with cancer. Therefore, this study aimed (1) to assess and compare the physical activity levels and behaviour of healthy children and adolescents with those of children and adolescents undergoing cancer treatments and (2) to explore the various factors that influence the physical activity levels of children and adolescents with cancer in Hong Kong. A cross-sectional study, using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, was conducted. A total of 76 children and adolescents (9-to 18-year-olds) who were admitted for treatment of cancer in a paediatric oncology unit and 148 healthy counterparts who were participated in two health carnivals in Hong Kong were invited to participate in the study. Their physical activity levels, stages of change for exercise, self-efficacy for physical activity and quality of life were assessed and compared. A total of 25 participants with cancer were purposively selected for semi-structured interviews. The results of this study indicated that children and adolescents with cancer in current situation had significantly decreased levels of physical activity when compared with the premorbid situation or the healthy counterparts. The study also showed that children and adolescents with cancer presented significantly lower levels of physical activity, self-efficacy, stage of change for exercise and quality of life than the healthy participants. Furthermore, qualitative interviews revealed that the negative impacts from cancer and its treatments, the discouragement of and misunderstanding concerning physical activity, and the space limitations in Hong Kong were important factors that disengaged these young people from regular physical activity while under treatment. This study has addressed an literature gap by assessing the levels of physical activity, self-efficacy, stage of change, and quality of life among children and adolescents with cancer as compared to their healthy counterparts. The results provide further evidence that cancer and its treatments induce negative impact on the physical, psychological well-being and the quality of life in children and adolescents with cancer. It is essential for healthcare professionals to detect physical inactivity at an early stage so that appropriate interventions can be applied to correct any misunderstandings about physical activity among children and adolescents with cancer and their parents. Most importantly, interventions should be designed to promote the adoption of regular physical activity for these patients, with the aim of enhancing their physical and psychological well-being. / published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing in Advanced Practice

published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing in Advanced Practice

published_or_final_version / Dentistry / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / abstract / Social Work and Social Administration / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Medicine / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences