Background COVID-19 is an emerging infectious disease that has created health care challenges worldwide. Pregnant women are particularly affected by this disease. Objective The aims of this study are to assess the levels of perceived threat (susceptibility, severity, impact), negative emotions (fear, worry), and self-efficacy of pregnant women in China related to COVID-19 and to examine their associations with mental health (depression and anxiety) and personal protective behavior (wearing a face mask). Methods A total of 4087 pregnant women from China completed a cross-sectional web-based survey between March 3 and 10, 2020. Results The prevalence of probable depression and anxiety was 48.7% (1989/4087) and 33.0% (1347/4087), respectively; 23.8% participants (974/4087) reported always wearing a face mask when going out. Of the 4087 participants, 32.1% (1313) and 36.4% (1490) perceived themselves or their family members to be susceptible to COVID-19 infection, respectively; 3216-3518 (78.7%-86.1%) agreed the disease would have various severe consequences. Additionally, 2275 of the 4087 participants (55.7%) showed self-efficacy in protecting themselves from contracting COVID-19, and 2232 (54.6%) showed efficacy in protecting their family members; 1303 (31.9%) reported a high level of fear of the disease, and 2780-3056 (68.0%-74.8%) expressed worry about various aspects of COVID-19. The results of the multivariate multinominal logistic regression analyses showed that perceived severity, perceived impact, fear, and worry were risk factors for probable depression and anxiety, while self-efficacy was a protective factor. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that perceived susceptibility was associated with always wearing a face mask. Conclusions Chinese pregnant women showed high levels of mental distress but low levels of personal protective behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interventions are needed to promote the mental health and health behavior of pregnant women during the pandemic.

Background Women engaging in compensated dating is one of the at risk group of HIV infection due to multiple sexual partnerships and risky sexual practices. The present study examined the prevalence of HIV testing behavior and intention, and identified factors associated with HIV testing intention among women engaging in compensated dating in Hong Kong. Factors from the Theory of Planned Behaviors and the role of various types of barriers to HIV testing were also explored. Methods An anonymous, cross-sectional survey was conducted online. Target participants were women who have engaged in compensated dating and provided sex services to clients. Participants were recruited via three sources, including i) online outreaching, ii) referral made by NGOs, and iii) referral made by participants. A total of 183 participants completed the study. Results Respectively 29.7% and 18.6% have taken up HIV testing and showed intention to take up HIV testing in the future year. Results from the multiple hierarchical regression model showed that having ever received HIV testing (β = 0.44, p < .001), attitudes towards HIV testing (β = 0.22, p < .01), subjective norm (β = 0.18, p < .05), perceived behavioral control (β = 0.18, p < .01) and perceived discrimination from health care workers (β = -0.24, p < .05) significantly predicted intention to take up HIV testing. Conclusion The present study demonstrates the applicability of extended TPB in HIV testing intention among women engaging in compensated dating. Interventions to promote HIV testing among this group are greatly warranted.

The present study investigated the associations between the three psychological needs (autonomy, competence and relatedness) derived from the Self-determination Theory and well-being [health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and subjective wellbeing (SWB)] among older people in Hong Kong SAR, China. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to August 2018 in Hong Kong. A total of 230 participants aged 60-year-old or above were recruited from eight community service centres.Results from adjusted regression analysis showed that, among the three psychological needs, competence and relatedness were positively associated with SWB, while relatedness was positively associated with physical health domain of HRQOL. The three psychological needs had no significant associations with mental health domain of HRQOL. Interventions to improve HRQOL and SWB should promote older people's sense of competence and relatedness. Longitudinal studies are warranted to clarify the causal relationships and look at other physical, mental and social health outcomes.

BACKGROUND COVID-19 is one of the emerging infectious diseases that has confronted the world. Pregnant women are particularly affected. OBJECTIVE The present study assessed the level of perceived threat (susceptibility, severity, impact), negative emotions (fear, worry) and self-efficacy of COVID-19, and examined their association with mental health (depression and anxiety) and personal protective behavior (wearing face mask) among pregnant women in China. METHODS A total of 4,087 pregnant women from China completed a cross-sectional online survey between 3 to 10 March 2020. RESULTS The prevalence of probable depression and anxiety was 48.7% and 33.0% respectively; 23.8% reported always wearing face mask when going out. Between 32.1% to 36.4% of participants perceived themselves or their family members were susceptible to COVID-19 infection, between 78.7% to 86.1% agreed the disease would have various severe consequences. Between 54.7% to 55.7% showed self-efficacy in protecting themselves or their family members from contracting COVID-19; 31.8% reported a high level of fear to the disease, and 68% to 74.8% showed worries about various aspects of COVID-19. Results from multivariate logistic regressions showed that perceived severity, perceived impact, fear and worry were risk factors, while self-efficacy was a protective factor for probable depression and anxiety. Perceived susceptibility and perceived severity were associated with always wearing face mask. CONCLUSIONS Chinese pregnant women showed high level of mental distress but low level of personal protective behavior during the COVID-19 period. Interventions are needed to promote their mental health and health behavior.

Background The minority stress model postulates that men who have sex with men (MSM) often encounter multiple stressors because of their sexual minority status, which may lead to psychological problems and maladaptive coping such as addictive behaviors (eg, internet gaming disorder [IGD]). It was hypothesized that hopelessness and loneliness would be associated with IGD via self-control among MSM. Objective This study investigated the prevalence of IGD and its associations with variables related to minority stress (loneliness and hopelessness) among MSM who were university students. Mediation involving such associations via self-control was also explored. Methods With informed consent, 305 MSM attending universities in Sichuan, China participated in the study. The validated Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) checklist was used to assess IGD. Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for background factors and structural equation modeling were conducted. Results The prevalence of IGD was 12.8% (n=39). Logistic regression found that IGD was positively associated with hopelessness and loneliness, and negatively associated with self-control. The structural equation modeling identified three significant paths between hopelessness/loneliness and IGD: (1) hopelessness → lower self-control → higher IGD (full mediation), (2) loneliness → lower self-control → higher IGD (partial mediation: effect size of 28%), and (3) a direct effect from loneliness to IGD. Conclusions IGD was prevalent among young MSM and warrants interventions that may try to reduce the level of psychosocial problems such as loneliness and hopelessness and improve self-control. According to the socioecological model, the promotion of social acceptance and reduction in stigma toward MSM are important in reducing loneliness and hopefulness among MSM. Self-control links up the relationships between psychosocial problems and IGD and should be given special attention. Longitudinal studies are warranted to confirm the findings and test new mediations between loneliness/hopelessness and MSM with IGD.