The other common sexually transmitted diseases were (NSCI) non specific genital infection (17%), genital warts (15%), syphilis (6%). The incidence of other sexually transmitted diseases e.g. chancroid, herpes genitalis, lympho-granuloma venereum, scabies and pediculosis pubis remained low.
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Ante-natal serological screening tests carried out in all Governmental and non-Governmental antenatal centres indicated an initial VDRL positive rate of 0.53% compared with 0.34% in the previous year. 224 positive cases referred to the social hygiene clinics, only 34 cases, (15.2%) were actually suffering from syphilis. The incidence of congenital syphilis in the year remained low, only one case reported.
The health staff were involved in epidemiological/preventive activities such as contact tracing and follow-up of defaulters and those at risk of frequent exposure. Health education in social hygiene was also emphasized through frequent health talks and the issuing of pamphlets and posters to the public.
Leprosy Service
There has been a gradual fall in the incidence of leprosy during the past two and a half decades. The number of new attendance for 1984 was 122, the number of new cases detected was 32 representing a rate of 0.60 per 100 000 of the population.
Tuberculoid cases consisted of about 59.4% of the cases. Male case predominated with a sex ratio of 1.9 to 1.
The number of contacts attended to during 1984 was 85 and all the four leprosy cases requiring inpatient treatment were admitted into Lai Chì Kok Hospital.
Dermatology Service
The total number of attendances at the skin clinics was 60 632, including 19 386 new cases. The six common skin diseases encountered were eczema, tinea, acne, scabies, verruca and neurodermatitis. As in previous years, there was a very low incidence of skin cancer.
Narcotics and Drugs Administration
The department runs a methadone maintenance as well as detoxification scheme for drug addicts. There are at present 24 methadone clinics over Hong Kong operating daily including Sundays and Public Holidays. In August 1980, a central laboratory for urine testing was opened and operated by the Government Chemist, providing a fast and efficient analytical support to the methadone clinics. The average daily attendance of the service ranges from 6 700 to 9 200 during 1984.
Occupational Health and Hygiene Services
The Occupational Health Division of the Labour Department provides an advisory service to the Government and the public on matters concerning the health of workers and the hygiene of the workplace and complements the Factory Inspectorate Division in supervising health standards and practices in industry. It works to maintain and improve the physical and mental well-being of workers and protect them against any health hazard arising from their employment. During the year, the division participated in a number of seminars and exhibitions for the promotion of occupational health and also published a series of booklets and codes of practice on the prevention of occupational hazards.
A prime responsibility of the division is to investigate notified occupational diseases and potential health hazards reported by the factory inspectorate and to determine preventive action. Surveys were conducted in various industries and an epidemiological study on the health and hygiene conditions in quarries and construction sites is also in progress.
The division carries out medical examinations for personnel exposed to ionizing radiation, Government divers and compressed air workers. It also deals with cases of silicosis under the Pneumoconiosis (Compensation) Ordinance. The division's nurses handled medical clearance for employees' compensation cases and its occupational health officers are appointed as members of Special Assessment Boards and Prostheses and Surgical Appliances Boards under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance.
The Occupational Health Division's laboratory carries out analytical tests on biological samples from workers and other environment samples taken during site visits. It also assists in conducting analyses for the air pollution monitoring programme in Hong Kong.
Health Education
Under the guidance of the Health Education Co-ordination Committee, the Central Health Education Unit (CHEU) was engaged in several major health educational campaigns.
The major activity of the year was the Healthy Family Campaign. The objective of which was to emphasize the importance of family as a unit in the maintenance of health and prevention of diseases, to promote healthy life styles and the utilization of existing health services. Activities organised for the campaign included a carnival at Victoria Park and three district exhibitions in Kowloon and New Territories regions. One slogan competition and one photography competition were held with additional health quiz, health talks, health education hot line, radio and TV programmes.
Anti-smoking exhibition and workshop for students were organised in the Shatin Health Education Centre. In July 1984, the Steering Committee on Anti-smoking publicity campaign organised a ceremony for the presentation of certificates of appreciation for outstanding persons or organisations for the support of the campaign and an anti-smoking exhibition was held at the Ocean Terminal Complex.
CHEU assisted in a mental health exhibition which was organised by the Hong Kong Medical Association and staged at City Hall to promote the message of community understanding and support for the medical treatment after care and rehabilitation of mentally ill patients.
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