Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau (KWNC) and Saint Paul School Macau (ESP) jointly held a presentation on the “Study of Health Condition of Primary Four to Primary Six Students – Phase One” on 4 April 2014 at the School Hall of ESP where the results of the “Survey on Usage of Electronic Products and Health Condition of School Children” were presented and participants’ queries were answered.

The presentation was presided by ESP School Principal Father Alejandro Salcedo, attended by ESP Director of Curriculum Development Mr. Lai Pak Cheong, School Doctor Dr. Ting Hung To and other administrative staff, as well as KWNC Associate Professor Hu Xiaoxia, Assistant Professor Chung Siu Fung and Lecturer Lok Ka In.

The study team of KWNC cooperated with ESP in October 2013 in conducting health check and assessment for ESP’s Primary Four to Primary Six students and following up their health condition regularly. The results of the study, announced through the media, show that the usage of electronic products and the overall health condition including visual acuity, spinal and joint health of the school children of ESP are more satisfactory when compared to similar researches of neighbouring regions and to the results of the Evaluation Report of Citizens’ Physical Condition 2010 of Macao. The study discovers that some parents neglect the visual health of their children. Some of the school children are found to have very poor eyesight which has already affected their daily activities. Regarding the condition of sleep and psychological health and the usage of electronic products, school children have positive comments on themselves that they are not addicted to using electronic products and their quality of sleep has not be disturbed. Nevertheless, the study finds that only a few parents accompany their children in using electronic products and most children do not have the correct habits when using their eyes. For this reason, Lecturer Lok Ka In suggested that parents should take precautions by paying more attention to their children’s use of electronic products.

After the presentation of the study results, parents raised questions about the ways of improving their children’s health in their daily life. Lecturer Lok Ka In reminded parents to be aware of children’s sitting posture, direction of light and the duration of use of electronic products. Parents were also advised to keep an eye on the behaviour change of their children and be alert of any signs of children’s drop in eyesight. In addition, parents should arrange regular body check for their children and encourage them to participate in outdoor activities and perform more physical exercises.

Parents believed that the study is relevant and instructive, and they were eager to obtain more information about school children’s health-related problems and solutions from the speakers. They also expressed that they would follow the advice of ESP and KWNC and make concerted effort to build a healthier environment of growth for their children.