Estimation of the Basic Reproductive Number and Mean Serial Interval of a Novel Pathogen in a Small, Well-Observed Discrete Population.

Background: Accurately assessing the transmissibility and serial interval of a novel human pathogen is public health priority so that the timing and required strength of interventions may be determined. Recent theoretical work has focused on making best use of data from the initial exponential phase of growth of incidence in large populations.

Methods: We measured generational transmissibility by the basic reproductive number R0 and the serial interval by its mean Tg.

Effect on Baby-Friendly Hospital Steps When Hospitals Implement a Policy to Pay for Infant Formula.

Background: The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative requires hospitals to pay market price for infant formula. No studies have specifically examined the effect of hospitals paying for infant formula on breastfeeding mothers' exposure to Baby-Friendly steps.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of hospitals implementing a policy of paying for infant formula on new mothers' exposure to Baby-Friendly steps and examine the effect of exposure to Baby-Friendly steps on breastfeeding rates.

Effect of a hospital policy of not accepting free infant formula on in-hospital formula supplementation rates and breast-feeding duration.

Objective: To investigate the effect of public hospitals in Hong Kong not accepting free infant formula from manufacturers on in-hospital formula supplementation rates and breast-feeding duration.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: In-patient postnatal units of four public hospitals in Hong Kong.

Simulation-guided design of serological surveys of the cumulative incidence of influenza infection.

Background: Influenza infection does not always cause clinical illnesses, so serological surveillance has been used to determine the true burden of influenza outbreaks. This study investigates the accuracy of measuring cumulative incidence of influenza infection using different serological survey designs.

Methods: We used a simple transmission model to simulate a typical influenza epidemic and obtained the seroprevalence over time.

Social contacts and the locations in which they occur as risk factors for influenza infection.

The interaction of human social behaviour and transmission is an intriguing aspect of the life cycle of respiratory viral infections. Although age-specific mixing patterns are often assumed to be the key drivers of the age-specific heterogeneity in transmission, the association between social contacts and biologically confirmed infection has not previously been tested at the individual level. We administered a questionnaire to participants in a longitudinal cohort survey of influenza in which infection was defined by longitudinal paired serology.

Factors contributing to early breast-feeding cessation among Chinese mothers: an exploratory study.

Background: Although more than 85% of all new mothers in Hong Kong now initiate breast feeding, few exclusively breast feed and the overall duration is short. More than one-third stop breast feeding within the first month post partum.

Objective: To explore the breast-feeding experiences of Hong Kong Chinese mothers who prematurely discontinue breast feeding and to identify contributing factors that might be remediated to help women breast feed longer.

Predictors and consequences of in-hospital formula supplementation for healthy breastfeeding newborns.

Background: Although exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months, the use of breast milk substitutes is widespread around the world.

Objectives: To describe the patterns of infant formula supplementation among healthy breastfeeding newborns, to identify factors contributing to in-hospital formula supplementation, and to assess the dose-response relationship between the amount of in-hospital formula supplementation and the duration of any breastfeeding.

Methods: A sample of 1246 breastfeeding mother-infant pairs was recruited from 4 public hospitals in Hong Kong and followed prospectively for 12 months or until weaned.

Association between intrapartum interventions and breastfeeding duration.

Introduction: Few women who reside in Hong Kong exclusively breastfeed, and one-half stop breastfeeding within the first few months. There is little research in this population on the association between intrapartum interventions and breastfeeding duration.

Methods: A sample of 1280 mother-infant pairs were recruited from the obstetric units of 4 public hospitals in Hong Kong and followed prospectively for 12 months or until the infant was weaned.

Determinants of 2009 A/H1N1 influenza vaccination among pregnant women in Hong Kong.

During the 2009–2010 A/H1N1 influenza pandemic, pregnant women infected with the virus experienced excess morbidity and mortality when compared with other groups. Once a vaccine was available, pregnant women were a priority group for vaccination. Only a few studies have reported on the uptake of 2009 A/H1N1 influenza vaccine among pregnant women during the pandemic and none were from Asia.

Impact of baby-friendly hospital practices on breastfeeding in Hong Kong.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) developed the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative to improve hospital maternity care practices that support breastfeeding. In Hong Kong, although no hospitals have yet received the Baby-Friendly status, efforts have been made to improve breastfeeding support. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of Baby-Friendly hospital practices on breastfeeding duration.

Epidemiological characteristics of 2009 (H1N1) pandemic influenza based on paired sera from a longitudinal community cohort study.

Background: While patterns of incidence of clinical influenza have been well described, much uncertainty remains over patterns of incidence of infection. The 2009 pandemic provided both the motivation and opportunity to investigate patterns of mild and asymptomatic infection using serological techniques. However, to date, only broad epidemiological patterns have been defined, based on largely cross-sectional study designs with convenience sampling frameworks.

Breastfeeding and weaning practices among Hong Kong mothers: a prospective study.

Background: Breastfeeding provides optimal and complete nutrition for newborn babies. Although new mothers in Hong Kong are increasingly choosing to breastfeed their babies, rates of exclusive breastfeeding are low and duration remains short. The purpose of this study was to describe the breastfeeding and weaning practices of Hong Kong mothers over the infant's first year of life to determine the factors associated with early cessation.