Laura E Bedford

Dr. Laura E Bedford

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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22 October 2021 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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KLKiki Sze Nga Liu
Kiki Sze Nga Liu
JCJulie Y. Chen
Julie Y. Chen
MNMichelle Y. C. Ng
Michelle Y. C. Ng
MYMaegan H. Y. Yeung
Maegan H. Y. Yeung
LBLaura E Bedford
Laura E Bedford
CLCindy L.K. Lam
Cindy L.K. Lam
Promoting healthy eating habits can prevent adolescent obesity in which family may play a significant role. This review synthesized findings from qualitative studies to identify family barriers and facilitators of adolescent healthy eating in terms of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). A literature search of four databases was completed on 31 July 2020; qualitative studies that explored family factors of adolescent (aged 10 to 19 years) eating habits were included. A total of 48 studies were identified, with the majority being from North America and sampled from a single source. Ten themes on how family influences adolescent dietary KAP were found: Knowledge—(1) parental education, (2) parenting style, and (3) family illness experience; Attitudes—(4) family health, (5) cultivation of preference, and (6) family motivation; Practices—(7) home meals and food availability, (8) time and cost, (9) parenting style, and (10) parental practical knowledge and attitudes. This review highlights five parental characteristics underlying food parenting practices which affect adolescents’ KAP on healthy eating. Adolescents with working parents and who are living in low-income families are more vulnerable to unhealthy eating. There is a need to explore cultural-specific family influences on adolescents’ KAP, especially regarding attitudes and food choices in Asian families.

24 September 2020 in Family Practice
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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LBLaura E Bedford
Laura E Bedford
MYMaegan Hon Yan Yeung
Maegan Hon Yan Yeung
CAChi Ho Au
Chi Ho Au
ETEmily Tsui Yee Tse
Emily Tsui Yee Tse
WYWing Yee Yim
Wing Yee Yim
CLCindy L.K. Lam
Cindy L.K. Lam
Patient enablement is a core tenet of patient-centred and holistic primary care. The Patient Enablement Instrument (PEI) is a transitional measure limited in its ability to measure changes over time. A modified version, PEI-2, has been developed to measure enablement at a given time-point without comparison to a recalled baseline. To assess the validity, reliability, sensitivity and responsiveness of PEI-2. PEI-2 was modified from the Chinese PEI to assess enablement over 4 weeks in a prospective cohort study nested within a community support programme [Trekkers Family Enhancement Scheme (TFES)] in Hong Kong. Construct validity was assessed by factor analysis and convergent validity by Spearman’s correlations with health-related quality of life and depressive symptoms. Internal reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Test–retest reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation (ICC), responsiveness by 12–24-month change in PEI-2 score and sensitivity by differences in change of PEI-2 score between TFES participants and a control group. PEI-2 demonstrated construct validity with all items loading on one factor (factor loadings >0.7). Convergent validity was confirmed by significant correlations with 12-item Short Form Questionnaire, version 2 (r = 0.1089–0.1919) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (r = −0.2030). Internal reliability was high (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.9095) and test–retest reliability moderate (ICC = 0.520, P = 0.506). Significant improvements in PEI-2 scores among the TFES group suggested good responsiveness (P < 0.001). The difference in change of PEI-2 scores between TFES and control was significant (P = 0.008), indicating good sensitivity. This study supports the validity, reliability, sensitivity and responsiveness of PEI-2 in measuring changes in enablement, making it a promising tool for evaluating enablement in cohort and intervention studies.

3 January 2020 in Violence Against Women
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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LBLaura E Bedford
Laura E Bedford
VGVivian Yawei Guo
Vivian Yawei Guo
EYEsther Yee Tak Yu
Esther Yee Tak Yu
CWCarlos King Ho Wong
Carlos King Ho Wong
CFColman Siu Cheung Fung
Colman Siu Cheung Fung
CLCindy Lo Kuen Lam
Cindy Lo Kuen Lam
A cross-sectional analysis of a dataset of 156 participants in a health assessment program explored whether negative emotional states mediated the association between intimate partner violence (IPV) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Compared with IPV screen-negative participants, those who screened positive had significantly lower HRQoL and significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. The inverse associations between the presence of IPV and HRQoL were found to be mediated by depression, anxiety, and stress. Therefore, interventions to alleviate negative emotions in women suffering from IPV have the potential to be useful in improving their HRQoL.

14 March 2022 in Journal of Public Health
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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JHJ Hancox
J Hancox
KAKieran Ayling
Kieran Ayling
LBLaura E Bedford
Laura E Bedford
KVK Vedhara
K Vedhara
JRJ F R Roberston
J F R Roberston
Denise KendrickDenise Kendrick
Denise Kendrick
The Early CDT®-Lung antibody blood test plus serial computed tomography scans for test-positives (TPGs) reduces late-stage lung cancer presentation. This study assessed the psychological outcomes of this approach. Randomized controlled trial (n = 12 208) comparing psychological outcomes 1–12 months post-recruitment in a subsample (n = 1032) of TPG, test-negative (TNG) and control groups (CG). Compared to TNG, TPG had lower positive affect (difference between means (DBM), 3 months (3m: −1.49 (−2.65, − 0.33)), greater impact of worries (DBM 1m: 0.26 (0.05, 0.47); 3m: 0.28 (0.07, 0.50)), screening distress (DBM 1m: 3.59 (2.28, 4.90); 3m: 2.29 (0.97, 3.61); 6m: 1.94 (0.61, 3.27)), worry about tests (odds ratio (OR) 1m: 5.79 (2.66, 12.63) and more frequent lung cancer worry (OR 1m: 2.52 (1.31, 4.83); 3m: 2.43 (1.26, 4.68); 6m: 2.87 (1.48, 5.60)). Compared to CG, TPG had greater worry about tests (OR 1m: 3.40 (1.69, 6.84)). TNG had lower negative affect (log-transformed DBM 3m: −0.08 (−0.13, −0.02)), higher positive affect (DBM 1m: 1.52 (0.43, 2.61); 3m: 1.43 (0.33, 2.53); 6m: 1.27 (0.17, 2.37)), less impact of worries (DBM 3m: −0.27 (−0.48, −0.07)) and less-frequent lung cancer worry (OR 3m: 0.49 (0.26, 0.92)). Negative psychological effects in TPG and positive effects in TNG were short-lived and most differences were small.


ETEric Ho Man Tang
Eric Ho Man Tang
LBLaura E Bedford
Laura E Bedford
EYEsther Yee Tak Yu
Esther Yee Tak Yu
ETEmily Tsui Yee Tse
Emily Tsui Yee Tse
WDWeinan Dong
Weinan Dong
CLCindy L.K. Lam
Cindy L.K. Lam
Unintentional injuries are major causes of mortality and morbidity. Although generally perceived as accidents, it is possible to identify those at higher risk and implement appropriate prevention measures. This study aims to investigate the common causes of unintentional injuries and their associated risk factors among a large representative sample. Data of 12,022 individuals who completed the Hong Kong Population Health Survey 2014/15 were extracted. The primary outcome was the prevalence of having unintentional injury(-ies) in the previous 12 months that was severe enough to limit daily activities. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify associations between injuries and sociodemographic, clinical and lifestyle factors. 14.5% of respondents reported episode(s) of unintentional injury in the past 12 months in the population level. The main causes of top three most severe unintentional injuries were sprains (24.0%), falls (19.9%) and being hit/struck (19.6%). 13.2% injury episodes were work-related among the most severe episode. Factors independently associated with significantly higher risks of injury included currently employed, homemaker or student, born in Hong Kong (as compared with immigrants), doctor-diagnosed chronic conditions, harmful alcohol consumption, insufficient sleep, and disturbed sleep. To summarize, unintentional injuries are highly prevalent and associated with harmful drinking, insufficient sleep, and disturbed sleep, which are potential modifiable risk factors for prevention.