Anthony S.W. Wong

Reconsidering the dimensions of approaches to learning

Background. The dimensionality of student approaches to learning, inherent in the instruments commonly used to measure them, lacks consistency with research, particularly concerning Asian students, conducted since the original instruments were devised. Aims. The study examined four strands of evidence to examine whether, and if so how, the dimensionality of the instruments should be modified. 1. A qualitative study of students’ perceptions of the motivational aspects of curricula. 2. A study by confirmatory factor analysis of the SPQ and LPQ which suggested that the surface strategy subscale can be split into two. 3. Recent research, mainly in Asia, which suggests the existence of approaches to learning which combine understanding with memorisation. 4. A review of literature relevant to the motivational dimensions of approaches to learning. Methods and Samples. Item 1 used semi-structured interviews with 55 undergraduate students. Item 2 used confirmatory factor analysis on a sample of 4863 university students from Hong Kong universities who completed the Study Process Questionnaire. Items 3 and 4 were drawn from a review of pertinent literature. Results. The strands of evidence confirm earlier work which suggests that approaches to learning are best described by a model with two main factors, which we labelled meaning and reproducing. Each main factor has a strategy indicator characterised principally by the presence or absence of the intention to understand the material. We also found evidence of four motivation indicators; intrinsic interest, a positive motivator referring to courses with good career preparation, a negative minimising motive and achievement motivation. The final category needs to take into account the evidence of communal rather than competitive achievement motive. Conclusions. Our suggestion is that the instruments be redeveloped in two forms. A simple two-factor- deep and surface- instrument would be suitable for teaching evaluation and simple research applications. The development and testing of an instrument which took into account all the strategy and motive elements would be a useful exercise in clarifying the dimensionality of approaches to learning. It would also permit a more thorough examination of cultural influences upon approaches to learning.

Isolation of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from Retail Meats in Hong Kong

OBJECTIVES The presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on meat purchased from retail outlets may allow its spread to households and represents a risk for colonization and possibly infection of consumers. Improved isolation methods have indicated that more than 10% of samples are positive. We aimed to determine rates of MRSA contamination of meat samples, including comparison of fresh and frozen samples. We characterized isolates and determined their antibiotic susceptibility. METHODS Samples of raw meats commonly consumed in Hong Kong were investigated for MRSA contamination using a double-enrichment isolation method. Isolates were characterized by antibiotic susceptibility testing, presence of mecA, SCCmec type, staphylococcal enterotoxins, Panton-Valentin leukocidin (PVL), and spa type. Differences in rates of MRSA contamination between meat types, rearing method, locations, sources, and fresh or frozen storage were compared. RESULTS MRSA was recovered from 21.9% of pork samples (78/355), 6.8% chicken (31/455), and 4.4% of beef (17/380). Isolation was considerably higher from fresh pork (47%) than frozen (0.6%), whereas contamination rates in fresh (6%) and frozen (7%) chicken were similar. All strains were multidrug resistant. All contaminated fresh pork and most frozen chicken originated from China. Most isolates belonged to CC9, being SCCmec IVb and spa type t899 or closely related spa types, but one chicken sample yielded ST398. Five strains carried spa types associated with human isolates. The egc enterotoxin group was present in the majority of isolates, but PVL in only three from chicken. CONCLUSIONS The predominance of t899 in isolates indicates that the primary source of contamination may be pig carcasses, previously demonstrated to frequently harbor CC9-positive MRSA in Hong Kong and China. The high rates of meat contamination suggest that improvements in food safety and personal hygiene guidelines may be advisable to reduce risk of spread of these MRSA strains in the community.

Health supplement consumption behavior in the older adult population: an exploratory study

Health supplement consumption behavior is important to maintain health status. The purpose of the study was to explore the spending pattern on health supplement consumption behavior in Hong Kong older adults population. The present study was a cross-sectional survey study; and was collected from via a street-intercept interview. Participants were approached and invited to response to a questionnaire. The location for data collection was evenly distributed in Hong Kong, Kowloon, and New Territories. The questionnaire included demographic data and source of income source, spending habits on health supplement products, and whether they performed regular health check. There were 982 participants interviewed; and 46% was male and 54% was female. The participants are divided into young–old (age 50–69) and old–old group (age 70 or above). The mean age is 67.93 ± 10.386. Most of the participants have regular body check; the major reason is to maintain health. Less than half of the participants spent money on health supplement products; the major reason for such purchase was to maintain health; while for not buying is, they did not think that would have any effect in their health. Also, more young–old participants have regular body check and spend more money on health supplement products; while old–old group participants were less likely to concern their health, and they were less likely to perform regular body check and purchase health supplement products. The present research reveals the pattern of the health supplement consumption behavior of young–old and old–old. Young–old group and old–old group have difference pattern according to their difference age-related health condition and the amount of spare money. Different educational program concern health consciousness and promotion strategy of regular body check and health supplement products need be tailor-made for older adults, and for young–old and old–old groups.

The use of smart phones and their mobile applications among older adults in Hong Kong: An exploratory study

The purpose of this study was to explore social participation using smart phones by the older population in Hong Kong. The present study was conducted from 10-June-2013 to 16-August-2013. It was a cross-sectional survey study, and data were collected from street interviews. Potential participants were approached and invited to respond to a questionnaire. The locations for collecting data were evenly distributed on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. The size of the samples for Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories were calculated based on their respective proportion of the Hong Kong population in 2011. The estimated time to complete the questionnaire was approximately 10 minutes. The questionnaire included questions on demographic data and the use of smart phones and their related features. A total of 982 participants were interviewed, 46% of whom were male and 54% female. The participants were divided into the following two groups: the young-old (age 50-69) and the old-old (age 70 or above). The mean age was 67.93±10.386. The findings showed that, in comparison with the young-old group (age 50 to 69), a smaller percentage of the old-old group (70 and over) used smart phones and mobile messaging applications to communicate with others. There were no differences in patterns with regard to the type and frequency of the mobile applications being used. However, a smaller percentage of the old-old group had installed the mobile app by themselves and introduced the mobile app to others. This study reveals the behavioral patterns of the young-old and the old-old groups in the use of mobile devices to communicate. The young-old and old-old groups exhibited the same patterns in terms of the types and frequency of the mobile apps used; however, a smaller percentage of the old-old group used mobile apps to communicate. Different educational programs on the importance of social support should be established, and the promotional strategies for these programs need to be tailored to older adults.