Objective: This qualitative study was an integral part in the development of a multidisciplinary team-led school-based human papillomavirus vaccination healthpromotion programme (MDL-SHPVP) aiming to increase HPV vaccine uptake in Hong Kong. Study findings will inform the design of the MDL-SHPVP by drawing on interview data regarding the expectations and needs of key stakeholders and potential programme users.Methods: Eight mother-daughter dyads, four secondary school teachers, two school principals, three social workers and one school nurse were interviewed. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim for thematic analysis.Results: Most participants had misconceptions about HPV and the vaccine. Alhough there was no immediate perceived need for the vaccination, most participants had favourable attitudes towards HPV inoculation and vaccines in general. Factors affecting vaccine uptake included perceptions about risk of infection, vaccine availability, and cost. Participants were largely open to suggested MDL-SHPVP components (videos, digital game, and group discussions). Conclusion:Findings have highlighted knowledge gaps among potential users and key stakeholders and will be used to inform the design of the MDL-SHPVP to ensure that their needs and expectations are addressed. Study findings may also aid future HPV vaccine promotion efforts and boost HPV vaccine uptake among youth in the city.

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Stroke survivors encounter significant limitations in daily life activities and face increased risk of health complications such as stroke recurrence. Considering the escalating demand for personalised community rehabilitation services, this qualitative study was conducted to understand the current recovery experiences, needs, and expectations of community-dwelling stroke survivors. Fifty stroke survivors were recruited from two tertiary teaching hospitals and community centres in two provinces in mainland China. Semi-structured interviews were carried out, and participants were asked to describe their experiences of stroke, current lifestyles, exercise habits, and rehabilitation needs and expectations. Resulting data were thematically analysed. The majority of participants were first-time stroke survivors (80%) and lived with their family or caregivers (92%). Four main themes and twelve sub-themes emerged from the data: (1) shifts in social life, (2) shaken sense of self and perceived helplessness, (3) complex rehabilitation needs, and (4) perceptions and patterns of physical activity. Findings suggest that though survivors recognised their need for further rehabilitation, their demands remained unmet due to a combination of personal and external factors such as limited mobility and the absence of supportive companions and accessible facilities. The enhancement and diversification of home rehabilitation strategies are therefore necessary to make community rehabilitation more accessible and equitable.

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Background The emergence of COVID-19 has been an ordeal for nurses worldwide. It is crucial to understand their experiences at the frontline, attempt to allay their concerns, and help inform future pandemic response capabilities. Aims To explore nurses’ lived experiences at the frontline in order to identify and address their concerns and help enhance future responses to infectious disease outbreaks. Methods A qualitative study was carried out. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 60 registered nurses who came to Hubei from different parts of China to care for patients with COVID-19. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim for thematic analysis. Results Six major themes emerged: emotional turmoil due to personal and professional concerns, quality issues with personal protective equipment and associated physical discomfort, witnessing and managing patient distress, readiness of emergency response mechanisms in the health system, collective community awareness and preparedness, and heightened professional pride and confidence in future epidemic control. Discussion Nurses were placed in challenging and unfamiliar situations to deal with unexpected and unpredictable events which caused considerable psychological and physical distress. Support in the form of government edicts, hospital management policies, community generosity and collegiality was highly welcomed by the nurses. Policy makers and managers should ensure that nurses are provided with the support and resources necessary for dealing with large-scale infectious disease outbreaks. Priority should be given to risk assessment, infection prevention and control, and patient and staff health and safety.

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Introduction: Physical activity is a vital component of post-stroke rehabilitation. However, as survivors’ functional abilities or environmental circumstances may impede their participation in physical activity, this qualitative study aimed to investigate their patterns and perceptions of exercise to identify rehabilitation barriers and improve survivor health outcomes. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with fifty stroke survivors recruited by convenience sampling. Participants were asked about their physical limitations post-stroke, past and present activity levels, beliefs regarding physical activity, and desired rehabilitation support. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed. Results: Regarding exercise behaviors, the majority of participants took regular walks and only a minority engaged in targeted exercises for arms or legs. Generally, although survivors recognized the value of post-stroke exercise in improving their health, barriers due to physical limitations and a mismatch between community resources and survivor needs led to suboptimal exercise behaviors. Most participants did not have residential elevators and some reported inconvenience in leaving their homes. Among those with relatively serious physical restrictions, fear of adverse incidents such as falls was common and prevented them from attempting exercise both outside and at home. Moreover, among those who could access community exercise facilities, some felt that the provided equipment did not suit their body types and that they would feel unsafe using them. To boost participation and confidence in exercise, home guidance from rehabilitation care providers and the presence of caregivers or volunteers during physical activity were recommended. Conclusions: Sufficient participation in physical exercise remains challenging for stroke survivors due to a variety of physical restrictions and perceived safety concerns. To increase accessibility and encourage more frequent exercise among survivors, it is important to implement home rehabilitation strategies as alternatives to outdoor exercise, and to provide dedicated in-person support to prevent adverse incidents.