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The article comments on "Nurses as providers of support for mothers of premature infants," a paper by E. Mok and S.F. Leung which was published in the 2006 issue. The study explored the supportive behavior of nurses as experienced by mothers of premature infants in Hong Kong, China. The findings on parents' perceived and received support needs in a neonatal unit are discussed.

Aims. This paper reviews the role of cardiac nursing in China and the potential of this professional group to take an important role in secondary and tertiary prevention initiatives. Background. China is undergoing unprecedented economic growth, yet globalisation of Chinese society has caused an increase in the prevalence of chronic conditions, particularly cardiovascular disease. Studies recognise that health providers and members of the public are not fully aware of the risks associated with cardiovascular disease and consequently are not equipped to deal with this looming epidemic. Design. Position paper. Method. This position paper summarises and discusses the burden of cardiovascular disease in China within the context of evidence for nurse-coordinated interventions. Barriers and facilitators to developing the nursing role in contemporary China are discussed. Conclusions. A key strategy for promoting the role of nurse-led programmes in China is increasing research skills among Chinese nurses to promote independent, collaborative interdisciplinary research. Promoting doctoral education in China, increasing the status of nursing in interdisciplinary teams, collaborating with cardiovascular nurses internationally and increasing the public's awareness of cardiovascular disease are critical steps in promoting nurse-led programmes to improve the health and well-being of the community. Relevance to clinical practice. Given the positive relationship between knowledge and skill levels of nurses and clinical outcomes, China's investment in the education and training of its nursing workforce is critical in improving practice and outcomes in cardiovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a commentary on the study which reveals a need to enhance the nursing role in improving health outcomes of cardiovascular disease in China. It notes that the authors of the paper did not propose how the obstacles for changes in cardiac nursing will occur in China. Moreover, it asserts that nurses in China should examine the factors that influence nursing philosophy such as role and authority, and researchers should try to investigate in altering some of these factors.

AIM: This paper described a case study of a randomised controlled trial with the aim to illuminate how the intervention described takes into account the important methodological considerations for enhancing the efficacy of psychoeducational interventions for paediatric patients. BACKGROUND: Many nursing intervention studies commit a Type II error despite the fact that the intervention is effective. Lack of attention given to the threats of validity of an intervention study may lead to inaccurate inference about the efficacy of the intervention study, thereby precluding any definitive conclusions being drawn. DESIGN: A case study of a randomised controlled trial was described. METHOD: Two hundred and three Hong Kong Chinese children, admitted for elective surgery, were invited to participate in the study. By using a simple complete randomisation method, 97 children were assigned to the experimental group and received therapeutic play intervention and 106 children were assigned to the control group and received routine information preparation. RESULTS: Children received preoperative therapeutic play intervention experienced lower anxiety levels, fewer negative emotions and lower heart rates and mean arterial blood pressures. CONCLUSION: This case study illustrates that the more a measure is sensitive to differentiate between the experimental and control groups, the greater the likelihood of documenting intervention efficacy. Besides, the timing of measuring a dependent variable that matches with peak response to an intervention is crucial in evaluating the efficacy of an intervention. Additionally, outcome measures that are sensitive enough to differentiate between the experimental and control groups are extremely important to ensure greater accuracy in evaluating the efficacy of psychoeducational interventions. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: It is anticipated that designing an effective psychoeducational intervention research design can facilitate the development of holistic and quality care in preparing children for hospitalisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. To investigate nursing students’ knowledge, attitude and readiness to work for clients with sexual health concerns and to identify strategies to help students develop as they take up their role in sexual health-related care. Background. There is an increasing global demand for improving sexual health. A better understanding of nursing students’ attitude and readiness to work for clients with sexual health concerns is the beginning of this endeavour. The need to explore strategies for developing competent health care practitioners is timely. Design. A cross-sectional survey. Methods. Nursing students ( n = 377) studying in pre- and postregistration programmes were surveyed at a university in Hong Kong using a questionnaire with open- and closed-ended questions about their knowledge, attitude and self-perception on readiness to work for clients with sexual health concerns. Results. Students’ knowledge of sexual health was satisfactory. They were positive in acknowledging the nursing role in sexual health care, but hesitant in taking up an active role in practice. Students’ readiness to participate in related activities was below satisfactory. Their perception of inadequate knowledge, feelings of anxiety, worries about colleagues’ and clients’ possible adverse responses and inadequate exemplars were major factors affecting their readiness. This paper also highlighted some important learning areas and strategies that could help in enhancing students’ knowledge and confidence in sexual health care practices. Conclusion. Improving the educational programme and clinical practice for nursing students is necessary but may not be adequate. Valuing the affective aspect of education, formal recognition of this extended role and advancing related education to a postexperience level would also benefit the development of sexual health care. Relevance to clinical practice. Preparing more mentors as exemplars, inviting clinicians and managers as partners in sexual health-related care would help nursing students to work efficiently for clients with sexual health concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives. To examine the validity and reliability of the short form of the Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory in a clinical Chinese pregnant population. Background. Childbirth self-efficacy has become an important psychological construct for both childbirth educators and researchers because pregnant women's perception may influence the meaning and consequences of childbirth. Assessment done by the original Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory limits the scientific rigor for generating additional research into the construct, as its items were repetitive and its structure is lengthy. Methods. This prospective study investigated 293 Chinese pregnant women in their third trimester of pregnancy. The women completed the short form of the Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory, the Chinese Self-efficacy Scale and the socio-demographic questionnaire in an interview room of the study hospital. The re-testing of the scale on the participants was carried out two weeks later in the same clinic. Results. Factor analysis and item-subscale correlations supported the conceptual dimensions of the short form of the Chinese Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients for both subscales were over 0·9. The convergent validity with the Chinese Self-Efficacy Scale was reflected by a moderate correlation for the two subscales. The efficacy expectancy subscale differentiated primigravid from multigravid women ( t = 2·83, P < 0·01, CI = −2·33 to 2·34). Conclusions. The reliability and validity information presented in this paper supports the use of the short form of the Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory as a research instrument in measuring the childbirth self-efficacy among the Chinese population. Further validation of the measure is warranted. Relevance to clinical practice. The reliable short form of the Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory could be used in routine clinical practice in maternity care services to provide a point of reference for future research and development in both childbirth education and clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Internet is promising to play a prominent role in health care in the future, but there is an imbalance in its use between the East and the West, between genders, the rich and poor, the educated and uneducated and the urban and rural. This paper looks at the use of the Internet from the perspective of these subgroups across the world, and outlines some of the problems facing disadvantaged groups in particular older people and their caregivers in China. Older people and their predominantly family caregivers have limited access to computers which is compounded by lack of access to good health care. However, it is suggested that this will become a growth area as older people and their caregivers may well bypass traditional care for tele-health care and Internet information-based systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

thompson d.r., lopez v., lee d. & twinn s. (2004) Journal of Clinical Nursing 13, 131–135 SARS – a perspective from a school of nursing in Hong Kong Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a new infectious disease with significant morbidity and mortality that has had a major impact on health and health care services worldwide. Hong Kong has had a significant number of cases and deaths. Nurses, at the vanguard of the clinical health care team, have been particularly affected by it. The outbreak prompted the health authorities to implement a series of public health measures and hospital policies, including a guideline for the diagnosis and management of patients with SARS. This paper aims at providing an overview of what is known about SARS and the impact it has had in Hong Kong and to highlight from the perspective of a school of nursing the major clinical, educational and public health implications. The lack of understanding and uncertainty about the disease led to significant variation in the provision of information, contributing to the confusion and anxiety in the community. Therefore, there is a need to revise the nursing curriculum, to provide continuing education to all health care professionals, particularly with regard to infection control measures, and to revisit the range of public health policies to ensure the health of the community is protected by these policies. There also has been a reaffirmation of the importance of health promotion that highlights the importance of the partnership between nurses, health policy makers and public health personnel. It is evident that the organization and delivery of clinical practice, teaching and health promotion have to be flexible and responsive to a changing health scenario. Nurses must play a crucial role in the prevention, detection and containment of SARS. They will need to implement and ensure strict adherence to infection control measures and, in some circumstances, isolation and quarantine may be warranted. Attention to the psychological state of patients and family members should not be overlooked. Paramount is education of patients, families and members of the public at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* The significance of primary health care to the health of individuals and communities has been well established but the development of primary health care and nursing practice within the context of primary health care remains varied in different countries and settings.* This paper focuses on developments in nursing practice in primary health care in Hong Kong, using three community-based research projects to identify the opportunities and challenges created for nurses working in these settings. The projects were established in response to identified health needs and to target cancer education, HIV/AIDS and chronic health problems.* Opportunities include the development of professional autonomy, innovative approaches to clinical practice, and developing skills in working with a diverse range of professionals and communities. Challenges include managing uncertainty and the development of evaluation systems to demonstrate health gains from nursing interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper reports the preliminary findings from the first stage of a larger study in which the effect of Tai Chi in promoting the psychosocial health of the Chinese residents was investigated. This study specifically examines the effect of Tai Chi on state self-esteem and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older Chinese residential care home residents.

The article comments on a paper which examines the meaning of caring from the perspective of cancer patients in Beijing, China. The author stresses that the study is important as a deeper understanding of what caring means to patients with cancer is warranted. She asserts that the researchers do not consider the resource in which the caring relationship occurs. She emphasizes that the idea that nurses and people with cancer share the same understanding of the need of patients is unfounded.

Aim. To identify instructive messages to guide nursing practice in future epidemics by examining the stories of Chinese nurses who cared for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients. Background. Mainland China had three outbreaks of SARS between November 2002–May 2004 and suffered the greatest impact on morbidity and mortality worldwide. Most of the nursing-related literature about SARS has been reported from other countries. Researchers expect that global infections, like SARS, will persist and escalate in the future. It is important to access the guidance from nurses who cared for SARS patients in China and to uncover instructive messages which can be useful when facing global infections in the future. Design. Descriptive exploratory qualitative study of six Chinese nurses. Methods. Data were collected in 2003, within the three months following the nurses’ quarantine necessitated by caring for SARS patients. Conventional content analysis was done using a cyberspace method of data analysis, where the geographically distant researchers conducted most phases of analysis through email communication. Results. Chinese nurses faced personal challenge, focused on the essence of care and experienced self-growth while caring for SARS patients. They cited structured support, meaningful disease-related information and sensitivity to the importance of a collaborative spirit as factors which enabled their caring nursing practice. Conclusions. These instructive messages come from China, where the SARS epidemic inflicted an unparalleled health impact. The messages give voice to the Chinese nursing experience and when synthesised with reports from other international nurses, they enable specific direction to enhance potential for a well-prepared nursing workforce and quality patient care in future epidemics. Relevance to clinical practice. The preparation of a knowledgeable, cared-for nursing workforce promises optimal outcomes with the emergence of the next global infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: The main aim of this study was to identify the coping strategies of stroke caregivers, to identify the factors associated with caregivers' depression and to identify predictors of caregivers' depression. BACKGROUND: Stroke has a high incidence in China. Most stroke survivors are accompanied by family caregivers during hospitalisation. However, little is known about these informal caregivers' coping strategies to the consequences brought on by stroke and their depressive symptoms. METHOD: A correlation and cross-sectional design was used and a purposive sample of 92 stroke survivors and their caregivers completed the questionnaires, which were used to describe the demographic of both the caregiver and stroke survivor, coping strategies (the Brief COPE Inventory) and depression of caregivers (the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale). Spearman's correlation and multiple stepwise regression analysis were used in data analyses. RESULTS: Several coping strategies (planning, positive reframing, acceptance, active coping, use of instrumental support and humour) were most commonly used by stroke caregivers. The length of hospital stay, stroke survivor's cognitive status and functional status, family income and coping strategies such as (i) denial, (ii) self-blame, (iii) planning and (iv) religion had significant correlations with caregiver's depression. The best predictors of caregiver's depression were denial, planning and stroke survivor's functional status. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to our knowledge about the coping strategies and depression level of stroke caregivers on the Chinese mainland. The depression rate is very high during hospitalisation, although these caregivers often had positive coping responses to the stroke event. Many factors were associated with caregivers' depression. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurses should not only pay attention to stroke survivors but also to their caregivers. To help them adjust well from the stroke consequences and avoid depression, nurses should implement effective interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. To describe and understand the experiences of Chinese family members of terminally ill patients during the end of life process in a palliative care unit. Background. Palliative care aims to provide care to dying patients and their family members. Skillful interventions are necessary to help family members cope with the impending death of the patient and maintain their emotional equilibrium. Hence, it is important to understand the experiences of family members of palliative care. Design. A phenomenological study was conducted. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews. We interviewed a purposive sample of 20 family members of terminally ill patients in a palliative care unit in Hong Kong. The data were analysed following Colaizzi's phenomenological methodology. Results. Family members experienced anticipatory grief, with reactions that included anger, unease, sadness and helplessness. This was particularly acute when the patient was first admitted to the palliative care unit. However, the family members quickly accepted the reality and committed themselves to the care of the patient, seeking informational and emotional support from the nurses. The families wanted to be assured that the patient had been offered good care and suffered no pain. It was considered important to be with the patient during the dying process. Conclusion. This study demonstrated that Chinese family members were committed to the care of the patients in the palliative care unit. Cultural beliefs played a part in influencing family emotions and concerns. Relevance to clinical practice. This study offers a direction for family interventions that acknowledge the reactions of family members to the admission of a patient to a palliative care unit. It highlights that families need active informational and emotional support from nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim and objectives. The aim of this study was to examine the sleep experiences of older patients during a period of hospitalization on an extended care ward. Background. Hospital wards have been demonstrated as environments that are not conducive to sleep for patients. Findings highlight the difficulties of falling asleep and getting insufficient sleep as the major causes of sleep disturbances. Such studies limit themselves to patients of Intensive Care Units and acute care settings. Relatively little is known about understanding the sleep experiences of older patients whilst hospitalized on extended care wards. Method. An exploratory qualitative design was used with a convenience sample of six Chinese male informants, recruited from an extended care ward of a Rehabilitation Hospital in Hong Kong. Multiple data collection methods were used, including repeated semi-structured interviews and a one-week sleep diary. Results. The findings demonstrated that all informants experienced dynamic changes in their sleeping patterns during hospitalization, resulting in sleep disruption and deprivation. The public nature of the ward environment and perceived sense of helplessness significantly interfered with sleep. Some cultural beliefs and practices were perceived by older patients to be associated with the quality of their sleep experiences. Conclusion. The findings contributed to an understanding of the sleep experiences of older patients during hospitalization. Relevance to clinical practice. Implications for nursing practice indicate the significance of including focused sleep assessment of patients during admission into the ward, so strategies perceived by older patients as being able to improve sleep would be included as part of the usual ward routine and nursing practice, where possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives. The purpose of this article is to describe the problem-solving abilities of Hong Kong family carers looking after a stroke patients at home and report the relationships between their perceived problem-solving abilities with their depression level, general health status, and the functional recovery of stroke patients. Background. Previous research on supportive interventions for caregiving in stroke care suggests that enhancing carers' problem-solving abilities is useful. Nevertheless, not much is known about the relationship between carers' problem-solving abilities and their physical and psychosocial health and there is notably little work that has been done with the Chinese population. Design. A cross-sectional and correlational design was used. Methods. A convenience sample of 70 family carers, who were the main carers of stroke patients at home, during the first three months poststroke was recruited to complete a self-report questionnaire. Result. Significant correlations were found between the family carers' global perceived problem-solving abilities and higher level of depressive symptoms (r = 0.35, P = 0.01) and poorer perceived health (r = 0.50, P = 0.01) as measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies - Depression Scale and General Health Questionnaire. Among the three subscales of the Problem-Solving Inventory, problem-solving confidence showed the highest correlation with these variables. The functional ability of the stroke patients as measured using the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) was not associated with any variables. Conclusion. Findings of this study suggest that perception of confidence is a key factor in appraisal of problem-solving among Chinese family carers, which raises questions for future research about the impact of cultural influences on designing and measuring interventions. Relevance to clinical practice. The study has implications for nursing and health care practice and for developing interventions targeted at building self-confidence among Chinese carers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. The aim of this study was to identify the major stressors affecting Chinese adults whose partner had been admitted to an intensive care unit and to understand the major coping strategies employed to manage such stressors. Background. Recently a greater number of patients of higher acuity have been admitted to intensive care units and survive lengthy illnesses of an unpredictable course. Such critical illnesses have been identified as a major life event to family members of these patients. Little is known, however, about the stressors and coping mechanisms of Chinese adults whose critically ill partner is admitted to an intensive care unit. Methods. An exploratory qualitative design was selected to achieve the aims of the study. A purposive sample of 10 Chinese adults with a partner in an intensive care unit of a regional general hospital in Hong Kong participated in tape-recorded semi-structured interviews. Content analysis was employed to analyse the translated interviews. Findings. Categories of stressors included uncertainty, difficulties in communication, changes in roles and responsibilities, difficulties in decision making, financial strain as well as changes in relationships. Analysis identified a range of coping strategies which included seeking information, seeking support, reliance on cultural beliefs and practices, turning to religious beliefs, maintaining hope and acceptance of illness. Conclusions. The findings demonstrate the importance of cultural beliefs and practices in determining the coping mechanisms employed to manage the stressors identified by this sample of Chinese adults. Such findings indicate the use of both internal and external coping strategies in order to maintain equilibrium in the family. Relevance to clinical practice. Implications for nursing practice highlight the significance of seeking information throughout the critical period and also culturally appropriate support from healthcare professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM: The present study aimed to describe the coping experiences of Chinese parents with children diagnosed as having cancer during the treatment stage. BACKGROUND: Cancer is the second major cause of death among children in Hong Kong, it claims the lives of 60-70 children per year. Childhood cancer has tremendous impact on the family, especially the parents. It is, therefore, important to understand parents' psychological functioning and coping experience. METHODS: A phenomenological approach was used. Data were collected by qualitative interviews and analysed following Colaizzi's phenomenological methodology. A purposive sample of nine parents whose children were diagnosed of having childhood cancer was recruited from a regional hospital in Hong Kong. RESULTS: Four themes emerged describing parents' coping experiences: shock and denial, establishing the meaning or the situation, confronting the reality and establishing a new perspective. The initial reactions of the parents to the diagnosis were shock, denial and worry. However, they quickly accepted the reality and regarded their child's illness as their 'fate' that they had to accept. They were committed to the care of the sick child and seek informational and emotional support to cope with the situation. All of them were able to identify positive aspects from the illness experience and establish hope for the future. Chinese cultural beliefs might help the parents cope positively and avoid negative emotions. CONCLUSION: This study found some commonalities of coping experience in both Western and Chinese culture. It adds knowledge to the coping experience of Chinese parents at the treatment phase of their children's illness and highlighted the need for emotional and information support for parents. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Education programme and mutual support group would be helpful to parents. Nurses have to learn how different cultural groups and subcultural groups in the society cope to provide competent cultural care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM: To develop an instrument measuring the beliefs and attitudes of Chinese adolescents towards substance abuse. BACKGROUND: It is documented that many negative consequences for youth, including physical, mental and psychosocial health problems are associated with substance abuse. There has led to a growing concern about promoting anti-drug education among health care professionals in Hong Kong. It is therefore important to conduct research on substance abuse to promote more effective anti-drug programmes for adolescents. To conduct research on the above aspect, valid and reliable instruments for measuring factors associated with drug abuse are needed. An instrument, namely the Beliefs and Attitudes of Substance Abuse Inventory (BASAI) was developed for the purpose of this study. DESIGN AND METHODS: Both qualitative and quantitative approaches to instrument development were adopted in the study. There were two phases to the study. Relevant literature and the Delphi technique were employed in the first phase of the study. A panel of experts was interviewed for the development of a pool of items for the instrument. Content analysis was used to manage the qualitative data obtained from the interviews. Factor analysis was used for the psychometric testing of the items of the BASAI. A Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to test the internal consistency of the instrument. The standard error of the mean (SEM) was measured to further support the reliability of the BASAI. The results are estimates of the validity and reliability of the instrument. RESULTS: Three main categories and nine sub-categories were derived from the interview data in the first phase of the study. The overall inter-rater reliability of the categories was 0.89 (kappa statistics). In the second phase, a Content Validity Index (CVI) of 0.92 for the instrument was achieved with the assistance of another panel of experts. The factor structure of the instrument was identified by undertaking a Principal Component Analysis. Three factors were extracted with a total variance account of approximately 70%. Reliability was established with alpha = 0.82 for the entire scale and a range of 0.78-0.92 between the sub-scales of the instrument. A small SEM of 3.21% was calculated to further support the reliability. CONCLUSION: A culturally sensitive instrument was developed with a satisfactory level of validity and reliability. Further research is recommended to continuously improve and refine the instrument so that it can be useful currently in research and/or practice. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: To promote the healthy development of children and adolescents, child health professionals need to implement effective health promotion strategies including anti-drug programmes. The instrument that was developed in this study will hopefully contribute to the development of more effective and evidence-based anti-drug programmes for youths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence-based practice has been widely discussed in the literature, but it is not common or well adopted in nursing practice, both in Hong Kong and other countries. This article aims to examine the relationships between three important elements of evidence-based practice: systematic reviews, clinical guidelines and protocols. Current issues associated with evidence-based practice in Hong Kong are explored. Specific suggestions are given to researchers, practitioners, managers and academics so that the current situation can be advanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* Ten registered nurses working in a neonatal intensive care unit in Hong Kong were interviewed to explore their experiences of caring for infants whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment, their perceptions of palliative care, and factors influencing their care.* Eight categories emerged from the content analysis of the interviews: disbelieving; feeling ambivalent and helpless; protecting emotional self; providing optimal physical care to the infant; providing emotional support to the family; expressing empathy; lack of knowledge and counselling skills; and conflicting values in care.* The subtle cultural upbringing and socialization in nurse training and workplace environment also contributed to their moral distress.* Hospital and nurse administrators should consider different ways of facilitating palliative care in their acute care settings. For example, by culture-specific death education, peer support groups, bereavement teams, modification of departmental policies, and a supportive work environment.* Future research could include the identification of family needs and coping as well as ethical decision-making among nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* The purpose of the study was to determine the stressors and coping methods of chronic haemodialysis patients in Hong Kong. Relationships among treatment-related stressors, coping methods and length of time on haemodialysis were explored.* Fifty subjects completed the Haemodialysis Stressor Scale (HSS) and Jalowiec Coping Scale (JCS).* Results revealed that limitation of fluid was the most frequently identified stressor, followed by limitation of food, itching, fatigue and cost.* The most common coping methods are 'accepted the situation because very little could be done', followed by 'told oneself not to worry because everything would work out fine' and 'told oneself that the problem was really not that important.' It was found that the traditional philosophies of the Chinese - Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism - share an approach to the understanding and management of life stressors as different from that adopted by Western philosophies.* The findings of this study can further facilitate nurse practitioners in providing support, information, and alternative solutions when assisting patients in coping with long-term haemodialysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author comments on the article published by J. E. Liu. E. Mok and T. Wong entitled "Caring in nursing: investigating the meaning of caring from the perspective of cancer patients in Beijing, China." The author mentions the significant clinical nursing implications of the study and its contribution to improve care practices for Chinese patients. The limitation of the study which lies in the inadequate discussions of the spiritual and cultural issues in Chinese population is included.

The article examines the experiences of community-dwelling women in coping with urinary incontinence (UI) in Hong Kong, China. The study utilized a qualitative exploratory design and was performed in a nurse-led female incontinence clinic of an acute general hospital. The common themes emerged from the study were women's fears in coping with UI and strategies adopted to combat their urinary symptoms.

China has the second greatest number of people suffering from diabetes in the world. The total loss of quality adjusted life years because of diabetes was reported as 8 million years and the amount of health care expenditure spent on diabetes treatment was over 20 billion China dollars. Respondents with higher levels of self-efficacy reported that they were better able to manage their diabetes self-care. This finding lends support to the importance of incorporating the concept of self-efficacy in the design and implementation of diabetes nursing interventions.

Compares experiences of having a sick baby in neonatal intensive care among mothers with and without the right of abode in Hong Kong, China. Health status of illegal entrants; Demographic characteristics; Coping strategies used by women.

Investigates the perceptions and experiences of worries and concerns of insulin-treated type 2 diabetes patients in Hong Kong, China. Social stigma; Risk of losing jobs; Places used by diabetics to give themselves insulin injections.

Investigates the extent of fear of hypoglycaemia among diabetic patients in Hong Kong, China. Relationship between the fear of hypoglycaemia and the time since the patients' insulin treatment; Factors that contributed to the patients' fears; Implications of the study on clinical nursing practice.