Facemask wearing among Chinese international students from Hong Kong studying in United Kingdom Universities during COVID-19: A mixed method study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Yuen-Kwan Lai ◽  
Shirley Man-Man Sit ◽  
Theresa Tze-Kwan Lai ◽  
Man-Ping Wang ◽  
Cecilia Hoi-Mei Kong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
International Students ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Mixed Method Study ◽  
Personal Beliefs ◽  
The Uk

BACKGROUND The mental health of international students studying abroad has been neglected during the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE This mixed-method study examined perceived public attitudes, personal beliefs, practice and stress toward facemask wearing as a preventive measure against COVID-19 among international university students from Hong Kong studying in the United Kingdom (UK) in the early stage (January – March 2020) of the pandemic. METHODS Our study included 2 parts: (i) an exponential, non-discriminative snowball sampling strategy was used to recruit 91 Chinese students studying in the UK to complete an online questionnaire survey, and (ii) online Zoom focus group interviews were conducted with 16 students to gain an in-depth understanding on their experiences and coping methods during the pandemic. RESULTS Of the 91 students, 92.3% reported the UK public did not view facemask wearing as a preventive measure. 98.9% believed facemask wearing was an effective preventive measure, but 56% wore facemasks more than half of the time when out in public. 50.5% of them had internal conflicts of feeling stressed both when wearing facemasks and not wearing facemasks, which was more common in females than males [(62.5% versus 31.5%, P=0.004, Relative Risk (RR): 1.99 (1.17, 3.38)]. 61.5% reported public prejudiced attitudes against facemask wearing, also more females than males (71.4% versus 45.7%, P=0.02, RR: 1.56 (1.05, 2.32). Qualitative findings showed feeling of conflicts between personal beliefs and social norms, feeling stressed about wearing facemasks as a preventive measure, and experience of prejudice. Peer and family support helped students face such difficulties. Positive thinking and being adaptable were effective methods of stress management. Qualitative findings corroborated the quantitative results. CONCLUSIONS Prejudiced attitudes and behaviours from others, and differences in public attitudes toward facemask wearing resulted in much stress in students’ stress. Clear and accurate public health messaging regarding facemask wearing is needed to change public attitudes and mitigate prejudice. Owing to the ongoing pandemic and rising xenophobia, specifically Sinophobia, academic institutions and public health professionals should take initiative in reaching out to urgently address the needs of international students and provide support in managing their ongoing stress and enhance mental wellbeing. CLINICALTRIAL Ethics approval was granted by the Institutional Review Board of The University of Hong Kong / Hospital Authority Hong Kong West Cluster (reference number: UW20-298). The study was registered with the National Institutes of Health (identifier number: NCT04365361).

scholarly journals Facemask Wearing Among Chinese International Students From Hong Kong Studying in United Kingdom Universities During COVID-19: A Mixed Method Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Yuen-kwan Lai ◽  
Shirley Man-man Sit ◽  
Theresa Tze-kwan Lai ◽  
Man-ping Wang ◽  
Cecilia Hoi-mei Kong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
International Students ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Chinese International Students ◽  
Mixed Method Study ◽  
The Uk

Background: The mental health of international students studying abroad has been neglected during the COVID-19 pandemic.Objective: This mixed-method study examined perceived public attitudes, personal beliefs, practice and stress toward facemask wearing as a preventive measure against COVID-19 among international University students from Hong Kong studying in the United Kingdom (UK) in the early stage (January–March 2020) of the pandemic.Methods: Our study included 2 parts: (i) an exponential, non-discriminative snowball sampling strategy was used to recruit 91 Chinese students studying in the UK to complete an online questionnaire survey, and (ii) online Zoom focus group interviews were conducted with 16 students who completed the online survey to gain an in-depth understanding of their experiences and coping methods during the pandemic.Results: Of the 91 students, 92.3% reported the UK public did not view facemask wearing as a preventive measure. 98.9% believed facemask wearing was an effective preventive measure, but 56% wore facemasks more than half of the time when out in public. 50.5% had internal conflicts of stress both when wearing and not wearing facemasks, which was more common in females than males [(62.5 vs. 31.5%), P = 0.004, Relative Risk (RR): 1.99 (1.17, 3.38)]. 61.5% reported public prejudiced attitudes against facemask wearing, also more common in females than males (71.4 vs. 45.7%), P = 0.02, RR: 1.56 (1.05, 2.32). The qualitative findings corroborated with the quantitative findings and reported that peer and family support were important for them to face such difficulties, and positive thinking and adaptability were effective methods on stress management.Conclusions: Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Chinese international students have been faced with a difficult, confusing, and sensitive situation. Owing to the ongoing pandemic, rising xenophobia and racist behaviors and the resumption of students' studies studies in the U.K., support from global communities are needed in their pursuit of quality education overseas. Our findings have significant implications on the proactive roles that governments should have, and the need for clear and accurate public health messaging to change public attitudes and mitigate prejudice. Academic institutions and mental health professionals need to proactively provide additional support to Chinese international students.

scholarly journals O5-5.2 Evidence-based public health policy: myth or reality? A mixed method study of public health decision-making in the UK

2011 ◽  
Vol 65 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. A55-A55
Author(s):  
L. Orton ◽  
F. Lloyd-Williams ◽  
D. Taylor-Robinson ◽  
M. Moonan ◽  
M. O'Flaherty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Mixed Method Study ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Public Health Decision ◽  
Health Decision Making ◽  
Health Decision ◽  
The Uk

scholarly journals A unique measles B3 cluster in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands linked to air travel and transit at a large international airport, February to April 2014

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (13) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Nic Lochlainn ◽  
Sema Mandal ◽  
Rita de Sousa ◽  
Karthik Paranthaman ◽  
Rob van Binnendijk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Virus Strain ◽  
Measles Virus ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Public Health Officials ◽  
The Uk ◽  
In Transit

This report describes a joint measles outbreak investigation between public health officials in the United Kingdom (UK) and the Netherlands following detection of a measles cluster with a unique measles virus strain. From 1 February to 30 April 2014, 33 measles cases with a unique measles virus strain of genotype B3 were detected in the UK and the Netherlands, of which nine secondary cases were epidemiologically linked to an infectious measles case travelling from the Philippines. Through a combination of epidemiological investigation and sequence analysis, we found that measles transmission occurred in flight, airport and household settings. The secondary measles cases included airport workers, passengers in transit at the same airport or travelling on the same flight as the infectious case and also household contacts. This investigation highlighted the particular importance of measles genotyping in identifying transmission networks and the need to improve vaccination, public health follow-up and management of travellers and airport staff exposed to measles.

Introduction

Extreme Asia ◽  
2015 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Daniel Martin
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Far East ◽  
Critical Reception ◽  
Film Distribution ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Distribution Company ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Comprehensive History

This book is a study of the Asia Extreme brand, a DVD and theatrical release label created by British film distribution company Metro-Tartan/Tartan Films. Specifically, this book offers a comprehensive history of the marketing and critical reception of this series of films from Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Hong Kong, focusing on releases in the United Kingdom between 2000 and 2005. The strategies and marketing campaigns used by Tartan Films to promote these films to a wide British audience will be examined, as will the critical and journalistic reception of the films. The following analysis seeks to account for the rise in visibility of this cycle of Japanese horror, Hong Kong action and Korean cult film in the UK, and to chart the changing contexts of their reception. In the process, this research identifies the cinematic debates, assumptions and prejudices that inform the British critical reception of ‘cult’ cinema from the Far East....

scholarly journals Can Dirty Work be Satisfying? A Mixed Method Study of Workers Doing Dirty Jobs

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 631-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Deery ◽  
Deanna Kolar ◽  
Janet Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Method ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Job Quality ◽  
Mixed Method Study ◽  
Dirty Work ◽  
Self Worth ◽  
The Usa ◽  
High Crime ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Method Approach

It has been argued in this journal that sociologists can make an important contribution to the understanding of why workers report feeling satisfied with their work, particularly where job quality is poor. Utilising a mixed method approach, this article explores how employees derive satisfaction from dirty work. The term ‘dirty work’ refers to tasks and occupations that are perceived as disgusting, distasteful or degrading. The research was conducted among workers specialising in the cleaning of abandoned social or public housing apartments in high crime areas in the UK and the USA. The study identifies a number of different mechanisms through which workers are able to make work both more satisfying and establish a sense of self-worth from the tasks they perform, even though dirt and physical taint are central to the job.

Exploring young professionals’ hesitation to joint German public health service – a mixed method study

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Stratil ◽  
L Arnold
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Public Health Service ◽  
Public Health Workforce ◽  
Mixed Method Study ◽  
Local Health Authority ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Public Health Department ◽  
Young Professionals

Abstract Background The “Öffentliche Gesundheitsdienst (ÖGD)” is the central public health institution in Germany. The ÖGD comprises of all public sector institutions responsible for protecting and monitoring the population health on the federal, state, county and municipal level. Its key functions contain identifying and addressing public health threats, and promoting the heath of the general population. Despite the important role, the ÖGD has not been successful in attracting and recruiting young professionals; a situation aggravated by an expected wave of retirements. We aimed to identify barriers and discuss solutions to promote the attractiveness of working in the German public health service among young professionals. Methods Firstly, we conducted a theory-based online-survey of medical and public health students enrolled in Germany. Secondly, we conducted key-informant interviews with a purposive sample of former public health students meanwhile working at the local health authority or a public health department as well as leading persons in the same institutions. Results In the survey of more than 2400 students, among others identified barriers included: students not being aware of the ÖGD and its activities, negative images of the ÖGD, and unattractive job profiles. In the interviews, some participants expressed or experienced a strong preference within the ÖGD to attract medical students to the detriment of public health students. A lack of appreciation and strictly hierarchical work contexts were identified as further obstacles. Conclusions The survey and interviews identified several potential barriers and obstacles for young professionals to join the public health workforce in Germany. Likely, major reforms within the ÖGD as well as in the education of medical and public health students is necessary to overcome this challenge. The results of the qualitative study identify several potential solutions for improvement. Key messages We conducted a mixed-method study of medical and public health students and young professionals to explore the challenges of the German public health service to attract young professionals. Our study shows that major reforms are likely necessary to increase the attractiveness of the German public health service.

scholarly journals The microbiological quality of seven large commercial private water supplies in the United Kingdom

2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 523-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Kay ◽  
A. P. Wyn-Jones ◽  
C. M. Stapleton ◽  
L. Fewtrell ◽  
M. D. Wyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Raw Water ◽  
Water Supplies ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Uk

Some 1% of the UK population derives their potable water from 140,000 private water supplies (PWSs) regulated by Local Authorities. The overwhelming majority of these are very small domestic supplies serving a single property or a small number of properties. Treatment for such supplies is rudimentary or non-existent and their microbiological quality has been shown to be poor in every published study to date. Private water supplies serving commercial enterprises such as hotels, restaurants, food production premises and factories are more frequently treated and subject to closer regulation in the United Kingdom. As a result, it has been assumed that these larger commercial supplies are less likely to experience elevated faecal indicator and pathogen concentrations at the consumer tap which have been observed at small domestic supplies. This paper reports on intensive monitoring at seven commercial private water supplies (six of which were treated) spread throughout the UK serving hotels, holiday parks and food production enterprises. Daily sampling of ‘potable’ water, both at the consumer tap and using large volume filtration for Giardia and Cryptosporidium spp. was conducted over two six week periods in the spring and autumn of 2000. This allowed the effects of short term episodic peaks in faecal indicator and pathogen concentration to be quantified. All the supplies experienced intermittent pathogen presence and only one, a chlorinated deep borehole supply, fully complied with UK water quality regulations during both periods of sampling. Poor microbiological water quality typically followed periods of heavy rainfall. This suggests that the design and installation of such systems should be undertaken only after the likely range of raw water quality has been characterised, which requires a thorough understanding of the effects of flow and seasonality on raw water quality. There is no reason to suspect that the monitored sites are uncharacteristic of other commercial supplies and the results reinforce public health concerns related to domestic supplies. Furthermore, the pattern of contamination is highly episodic, commonly lasting only a few days. Thus, the relatively infrequent regulatory monitoring of such supplies would be unlikely to identify the poor water quality episodes and does not provide the data necessary for public health protection. Although some statistical relationship was found between faecal indicator organisms and the presence of pathogens, the use of FIOs in assessments of regulatory compliance may not always provide a reliable measure of public health risk, i.e. indicator absence does not preclude pathogen presence. The results of this study suggest that a risk assessment system similar to the WHO ‘Water Safety Planning’ approach might offer a more appropriate regulatory paradigm for private water supplies.

scholarly journals Mapping, Assessing and Improving Legal Preparedness for Pandemic Flu in the United Kingdom

2009 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme T. Laurie ◽  
Kathryn G. Hunter
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Essential Feature ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Legal Provisions ◽  
The Face ◽  
International Obligations ◽  
Pandemic Flu ◽  
The Uk

This article assesses the legal framework within which responses are deployed in the United Kingdom in the face of a pandemic such as the current H1N1 crisis or some other public health emergency. It begins with an account of the importance of legal preparedness as an essential feature of public health preparedness. It moves to an outline of the key legal provisions and parameters which provide the architecture for the existing framework in the UK, both domestically and internationally; thereafter, it identifies relevant factors that can be used to assess the efficacy of current legal preparedness, drawing on comparative experiences. Finally, it offers recommendations on how legal preparedness could be improved within the United Kingdom and in line with international obligations.

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