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PolyU Rehabilitation Sciences Department Develops Mental Health Assessment and Resilience Information Platform (e-MERIT)

9 Nov, 2022

Others The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

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PolyU develops ultrasensitive and portable detection sensor for rapid, easy and low-cost COVID-19 antibody test

As the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has continued for over two years, a fast and accurate antibody detection method can help assess the antibody content of the human body, as well as provide reference data for healthcare departments to formulate appropriate vaccination measures. In the long run, the antibody content data can also contribute to epidemiological studies and vaccine development. In view of this, a research team from the Department of Applied Physics of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has successfully developed an ultrasensitive and portable COVID-19 antibody detection sensor based on organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) technology. Fast and easy-to-use, the sensor is designed for testing the antibody levels of people who have either received vaccination or have been infected with the virus.

26 May, 2022

Department of Applied Physics

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PolyU research reveals that over 10% Hong Kong people exhibit PTSD symptoms one year after the onset of the pandemic; Severity of symptoms is associated with time spent watching pandemic-related news

Two years on, various activities in the community have been gradually resuming amid the COVID-19 pandemic as social distancing measures are further relaxed. Living under the shadow of the pandemic has been exhausting, many are not only tired of battling COVID, but also exhibit different levels of mental distress or even trauma. Unhealthy mental status is something that should not be disregarded as it may entail different kinds of issues.

25 May, 2022

Faculty of Health and Social Sciences

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Intentions to receive vaccines are associated with the intensity of the pandemic waves and the toughness of anti-pandemic measures A “rising then declining” trend was observed in vaccine hesitancy, PolyU study finds

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 9,000 COVID deaths and more than one million infections in more than two years. In an effort to fight against the pandemic, the government has been adjusting its pandemic control strategies. Different restrictions and measures have triggered diverse opinion among the public, and some of these in turn have led to differences in the degree of residents’ adherence to COVID preventive measures as well as their intention to receive vaccines, a recent study suggests. Supported by the Health and Medical Research Fund administered by the Food and Health Bureau, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has conducted a longitudinal study to investigate Hong Kong residents’ adherence to various COVID preventive measures and their intention to receive vaccines. The study, which randomly sampled 1,225 people aged 18-85 years old, comprised three stages of phone interviews during the 4th and 5th waves of the pandemic in Hong Kong. Findings have been published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health and Vaccines respectively. Researchers revealed that there was a “rising then declining” trend in vaccine hesitancy amongst the respondents. The team suggested that the government should further review the incentives for vaccination and adopt a two-pronged approach (via “policy” and “education”), to enhance people’s awareness and confidence in vaccines. Stage 1 (19 December, 2020 – 6 January, 2021) The first round of phone interviews was conducted at the beginning of the 4th wave of the pandemic when the public vaccination programme had yet to have been launched. The majority of the 1,225 respondents reported adhering to the preventive measures suggested by the government, while also indicating reluctance to receive COVID vaccines: Wearing face masks in public spaces (94%) Avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth (88%) Using alcohol-based hand sanitiser (82%), and maintaining social distance (75%) Indicating an intention to receive vaccines (42%) Indicating a hesitancy or refusal to receive vaccines (58%) Intention to receive vaccination is influenced by multiple factors. Higher intention to receive a vaccine can be related to male gender, older age, type of employment, past experience of epidemics such as SARS and swine flu, lower vaccine safety concerns, higher perceived risk of infection, higher self-efficacy, and greater acceptance of disease prevention measures. Stage 2 (1 June, 2021 – 11 July, 2021) Six months after the first round of interviews, 1,003 respondents were contacted to track their actual vaccination status. In this second round of interviews three months after the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme had been launched (note: the Programme officially launched on February 26, 2021). One in four respondents (24%) reported that they had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The main reasons given were to: Ensure personal health (68%) and health of family members (64%) Meet workplace vaccination requirement (55%) Respond to the call from the government (42%) Prepare for quarantine-free travel and restriction-free social activities (28%) Findings showed that actual vaccination status and previous intention to receive a vaccine were not related. Instead, respondents’ decisions to vaccinate were affected by their trust in the government and the healthcare system, acceptance of pandemic control measures, current experiences of COVID-19 and the vaccination status of people they know. Stage 3 (21 December, 2021 – 21 January, 2022) The third round of interviews was conducted during the early stage of the 5th wave of the pandemic, which was twelve months after the first round and almost a year since the start of the COVID-19 vaccination Programme. At that time, over 80% of respondents had received at least one dose of COVID vaccines. The main reasons given were to: Meet workplace vaccination requirement (57%) Ensure personal health (55%) and health of family members (51%) Respond to the call from the government (32%) Prepare for quarantine-free travel and restriction-free social activities (32%) Changes in intentions to vaccinate Findings show that respondents’ intentions to vaccinate changed over time. Vaccine hesitancy and refusal rates that had risen dropped in the third round of interviews. Stage 1 °   Vaccine hesitancy or refusal (54%), vaccine willingness (46%) Stage 2 °   Vaccine hesitancy or refusal (58%), vaccine willingness (42%) °   At least one dose of vaccine (24%) Stage 3 °   Vaccine hesitancy or refusal (42%), vaccine willingness (59%) °   At least one dose of vaccine (80%) “Intentions to receive vaccines are associated with the intensity of the pandemic waves and the toughness of anti-pandemic measures,” says Professor Elsie Chau-wai Yan, Associate Head of the Department of Applied Social Sciences, PolyU, who leads the study; “For example, residents were more reluctant to receive jabs during the less severe 4th wave of the pandemic. But when Omicron-led infections started to sweep Hong Kong and the government began to implement vaccination requirements, both intentions to vaccinate and actual vaccination rates climb to a higher level.” To further boost vaccine uptake, the government should adopt a flexible strategy to encourage people to receive vaccines, suggests Professor Yan “While it is crucial to develop timely anti-pandemic measures and to introduce mandatory vaccination in certain populations, it is equally important for the government to strengthen the promotion of vaccination. Thorough explanations of the benefits and the needs of vaccination to the public for protecting individuals and their families can be key to success.”   ***End***

17 May, 2022

Faculty of Health and Social Sciences

Director-General Zhong Jichang of the Liaison Office participates in the distribution of COVID-19 supplies at PolyU

27 Apr, 2022

Events The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

PolyU and Youth Anti-Coronavirus Link join hands to distribute anti-epidemic packages to PolyU staff and students

13 Apr, 2022

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

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PolyU develops portable nucleic acid testing device for COVID-19 to enable fast and accurate results on-site

Over the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed a tremendous impact on society as well as on the daily lives of individuals. In the “post-pandemic” era, it is important to strengthen efforts in research and development of drug and vaccine, while also continuing to uphold high standards of personal and environmental hygiene management. Therefore, an accurate and convenient COVID-19 testing method could certainly help ease the stress of post-pandemic life.

12 Apr, 2022

Department of Health Technology and Informatics and Department of Biomedical Engineering

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PolyU's Department of Applied Social Sciences launches an online platform to encourage continuous learning in the midst of the pandemic

To encourage continuous learning during the fight against COVID-19, the Department of Applied Social Sciences of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has set up the One Stop Shop (OSS), an online platform for information sharing in the era of pandemic. OSS is a co-created and co-owned information platform that marks the latest joint endeavour of departmental staff, students and alumni, in collaboration with various social welfare organisations and professional associations. A series of professional talks, workshops and patient sharing sessions have been arranged via the platform since the end of March. Other services offered by OSS are: online workshops by professional facilitators (with topics including play therapy, expressive arts therapy, healing for wellness and community arts); and a "Learn from Home" video series leveraging multimedia to navigate topics related to the pandemic, which comprises short films produced by the faculty of the Department that focus on areas that include Sociology, Social Work, Social Policy, Psychology and Ageing Studies. Staff, students and alumni who have recovered from COVID-19 are also invited to share their experiences of recovery and emotional transformation. The Department has furthermore joined hands with three internationally renowned universities: the University of Amsterdam (Netherlands), Durham University (UK) and The University of Toronto (Canada) to organise an online professional seminar series titled "Riding Out the Pandemic" to help people cope with anxiety that arise from the pandemic. Prof. Eric Chui Wing-hong, Professor and Head of Department of Applied Social Sciences, stated, “despite the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic may have on us (for instance, being stuck at home), so long as one recognizes the communities of support that exists, and discovers your own hidden potential, we will weather the storm and look forward to brighter days with hope and confidence. With an atmosphere of co-creation, co-production and co-learning, I am sure we will be able to get through the pandemic together. “ To learn more about the One Stop Shop (OSS) platform, please visit the website: https://oss.apss.polyu.edu.hk

11 Apr, 2022

Department of Applied Social Sciences

PolyU community engages in frontline anti-epidemic work

1 Apr, 2022

Others The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Secretary for Food and Health visits the Caroline Hill Road Community Vaccination Centre today

31 Mar, 2022

School of Nursing

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