Media

Eczema, asthma, and rhinitis are three of the most common paediatric allergic diseases. Apart from persistent hallmark symptoms such as scratching, wheezing, and sneezing, the diseases impose a burden on the psychological aspects of life in both the children and the parents.

In a population-based International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), researchers from the Department of Social Work and Social Administration of the University of Hong Kong (HKU), and the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine of the United Christian Hospital surveyed over 2,200 schoolchildren from primary and secondary schools and 1,800 parents on the prevalence of allergic diseases in Hong Kong and their impact on mental health.

This is the first large scale ISAAC study in nearly two decades to update on the prevalence rates of the allergic diseases among schoolchildren in Hong Kong. The last ISAAC study on primary schoolchildren was conducted in 2004, and in 1997 on secondary schoolchildren.

The findings of the 2021 survey reveal an alarming trend with increasing prevalence of eczema and allergic rhinitis among schoolchildren in Hong Kong.

The research team will hold a press conference on January 13 (Thursday) to release the findings. They will also discuss the current prevalence rates of allergic diseases in Hong Kong, and their impact on the psychological well-being of affected children and their parents.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the press conference will be in hybrid mode. Details are as follows:

Date : 13 January 2021 (Thursday)
Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm 
Venue : Social Sciences Faculty Chamber, 11/F, Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus, HKU

Zoom Link:
https://hku.zoom.us/j/92381131641?pwd=MXBPV0FoeWNRZkx3dEZveG9TSGtJQT0

Programme Rundown
11am  Media registration
11:30am to 11:45am
Prevalence study of eczema, asthma and allergic rhinitis among Primary and Secondary Schoolchildren in Hong Kong
Dr. Celia Hoi Yan CHAN, Associate Professor and Deputy Head, Department of Social Work and Social Administration, HKU

11:45am to 12 noon
Implications of eczema, asthma and allergic rhinitis among children in Hong Kong
Dr. David Chi Kong LUK, Consultant, Department of Paediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, United Christian Hospital 
Dr. James Wesley Ching Hei CHENG, Associate Consultant, Department of Paediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, United Christian Hospital

12 noon to 12:15pm
Psychological impacts of eczema, asthma and allergic rhinitis on children and their parents
Dr. Celia Hoi Yan CHAN, Associate Professor and Deputy Head, Department of Social Work and Social Administration, HKU

12:15pm to 12:30pm
“Seeing the invisible” - Parent-child eczema management programme – Application details
Dr. Yat Lui Fung, Lecturer, Department of Social Work and Social Administration, HKU

12:30pm to 1pm Questions and Answers 

For media enquiries, please contact HKU Communications and Public Affairs Office: Ms Melanie Wan, Senior Manager (Media), Tel: 2859 2600 / Email: melwkwan@hku.hk)