Press Release

CHP to conduct Population Health Survey 2014/15 in end-December

19 December 2014

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) will conduct a territory-wide Population Health Survey (PHS) 2014/15 in end-December to update pertinent information on the patterns of health status, health-related lifestyles and other health parameters of the local population.

"They are useful for the formulation of public health measures. We aim at strengthening our information base to assess the patterns of health status of the population, support effective and evidence-based decision-making and formulation of health measures, and facilitate resource allocation as well as the planning and evaluation of health services and programmes," the Consultant Community Medicine (Non-Communicable Disease) of the CHP, Dr Regina Ching, said at a press conference today (December 19).

The PHS will be a cross-sectional survey targeted at the land-based non-institutionalised population aged 15 or above in Hong Kong, excluding visitors, foreign domestic helpers and Two-way Permit holders from the Mainland. The sample was based on the Frame of Quarters maintained by the Census and Statistics Department.

The survey comprises two parts, a household interview and self-administered questionnaire, and a health examination.

Household interview and self-administered questionnaire

The interviewers will visit the selected households to conduct personal face-to-face interviews with all persons aged 15 or above. The respondents will then be invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire.

Apart from household data and socio-demographic characteristics, the questionnaire will cover an array of health dimensions, including self-rated health, physical health, psychosocial health, quality of life, health-related lifestyle practices, disease preventive practices, and the use of health services.

Health examination

Selected respondents who have completed the preceding questionnaire will be further invited to take a health examination at designated health examination centres or clinics, including physical measurements and biochemical testing.

Their weight, height, body mass index, hip and waist circumferences, and blood pressure will be recorded to determine the proportion of respondents who are overweight or obese, and who have high blood pressure. In addition, biochemical testing will be arranged to test for their blood lipid, fasting blood glucose and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), as well as sodium, potassium and creatinine in their urine with a view to estimating the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia (high blood cholesterol) and diabetes mellitus (high blood sugar) or abnormal blood glucose, and the average intake of dietary salt respectively.

"We appeal to the public for active participation upon receipt of invitation letters on household interviews. Those selected for the free health examination will be contacted by phone to make an appointment," Dr Ching said.

While laboratory test reports will be returned to the respondents for free, the DH will liaise with those with abnormal results or results marginally beyond the reference range to provide recommendations and remind them to follow up with their doctors as appropriate.

"The upcoming PHS will collect very useful data to forecast the prevalence or incidence of important diseases and identify risk factors of important causes of mortality, morbidity and disability," Dr Ching added.

A total of around 12 000 respondents from about 5 000 households aged 15 or above will be targeted for the household interviews. The target sample size of health examinations is about 1 800 respondents aged from 15 to 84 among those who have completed the preceding questionnaire.

A pilot survey has been conducted since November while the main fieldwork will commence in end-December and continue until November 2015. Results are expected to be ready by 2016.

The DH attaches great importance to data confidentiality. All interviewers will carry an Interviewer Identity Card issued by the DH and the commissioned contractor for the purpose of identification. Members of the public may call the contractor's hotline (3900 1176) between 9am and 10pm daily to verify the interviewer's identity if in doubt. All contractor staff shall ensure that all information pertaining to study subjects are kept strictly confidential and will be destroyed within six months after the PHS is completed.

The PHS was first conducted in 2003/04, followed by a Heart Health Survey in 2004/05. The PHS 2014/15 adopts a comprehensive approach which contains elements of both surveys.

The public may get more information on the PHS via:

• The PHS' hotline (3529 1930) during office hours;
• The PHS' website ( www.chp.gov.hk/enphs.html ); and
• The PHS' poster and leaflet .