Teachers' and students' perceptions of creative thinking in liberal studies

Dissertation presented a part fulfilment of the requirements of the Bacholor degree of Education (Liberal Studies), the University of Hong KongIncludes bibliographical references (p. 42-45)Thesis (B. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2013.published_or_final_versionB.Ed. in Liberal Studie

Health Information Seeking Partially Mediated the Association between Socioeconomic Status and Self-Rated Health among Hong Kong Chinese

Background: Poor self-rated health (SRH) is socially patterned with health communication inequalities, arguably, serving as one mechanisms. This study investigated the effects of health information seeking on SRH, and its mediation effects on disparities in SRH. Methods: We conducted probability-based telephone surveys administered over telephone in 2009, 2010/11 and 2012 to monitor health information use among 4553 Chinese adults in Hong Kong. Frequency of information seeking from television, radio, newspapers/magazines and Internet was dichotomised as <1 time/month and ≥1 time/month. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for poor SRH were calculated for health information seeking from different sources and socioeconomic status (education and income). Mediation effects of health information seeking on the association between SES and poor SRH was estimated. Results: Poor SRH was associated with lower socioeconomic status (P for trend <0.001), and less than monthly health information seeking from newspapers/magazines (aOR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.07–1.42) and Internet (aOR = 1.13, 95% CI 0.98–1.31). Increasing combined frequency of health information seeking from newspapers/magazines and Internet was linearly associated with better SRH (P for trend <0.01). Health information seeking from these two sources contributed 9.2% and 7.9% of the total mediation effects of education and household income on poor SRH, respectively. Conclusions: Poor SRH was associated with lower socioeconomic status, and infrequent health information seeking from newspapers/magazines and Internet among Hong Kong Chinese. Disparities in SRH may be partially mediated by health information seeking from newspapers/magazines and Internet

Social Determinants of Health Information Seeking among Chinese Adults in Hong Kong

Background: Health communication inequalities were observed in Western population but less is known about them among the Chinese. We investigated health information seeking behaviours and its social determinants among Chinese adults in Hong Kong. Methods: Probability-based sample surveys over telephone were conducted in 2009, 2010/11 and 2012 to monitor family health and information use. Frequency of health information seeking from television, radio, newspapers/magazines and Internet were recorded and dichotomised as ≥1 time/month and <1 time/month (reference). Logistic regression was used to yield adjusted odds ratios (aOR) of health information seeking for different demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status (education, employment and income), chronic disease and behaviours (smoking, drinking and physical activity). Results: Among 4553 subjects in all surveys, most (85.1%) had sought health information monthly from newspapers/magazines (66.2%), television (61.4%), radio (35.6%) or Internet (33.2%). Overall, being male, lower education attainment, lower household income, ever-smoking and physical inactivity were associated with less frequent health information seeking (all P <0.05). Compared with younger people, older people were less likely to search health information from Internet but more like to obtain it from radio (both P for trend <0.001). Having chronic diseases was associated with frequent health information seeking from television (aOR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.07–1.47) and Internet (aOR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.24–1.73). Conclusions: This study has provided the first evidence on health information inequalities from a non-Western population with advanced mass media and Internet penetration. Socioeconomic inequalities and behavioural clustering of health information seeking suggested more resources are needed for improving health communication in disadvantage groups

An investigation of the effectiveness of human resource management in the Hong Kong police

In the literature, there is the increasing trend to link human resource planning with strategic planning giving greater importance to, and greater involvement of, human resource management in organization strategy. Also the Hong Kong Police is a manpower oriented discipline force and the human resource management functions play a critical role in the effective management of these human resources. Therefore, the critical nature of the human resource management of the Hong Kong Police justifies a management report orientation where the focus is on the production of positive and practical recommendations. The objectives of the report are to evaluate the effectiveness of the existing human resource management system of the Hong Kong Police and also if and where appropriate to make recommendations designed to enhance the present system. In order to achieve the objectives, four aspects were evaluated. The first aspect is the human resource management goals of the Hong Kong Police. It was evaluated against the criteria of the extent to which it is consistent with the ii Vision, Statement of the Common Purposes and Values of the Police. The second aspect is its policies and practices of the each of the functions, which include 1. human resource planning (HRP), 2. recruitment and selection, 3. training and career development, 4. compensation and benefits management, 5. performance evaluation, 6. employee and labor relations, 7. counseling and 8. termination of the existing human resource management. It was evaluated through the comparison between the policies and practices of the each of the functions mentioned above and the corresponding theoretical functional goals. The third aspect is outcomes of human resource management, including complaints from the public, and opinions to it from the general public. It was evaluated against the overall goals of human resource management of the Hong Kong Police. The last but not the least, others, which are the things other than the above, factors viewed as relevant including what it has done during 1996 to 1999. Peters and Waterman Model was used as a framework for evaluating how well the Police was doing during this period. After considering all the aspects, we concluded that the Hong Kong Police did well in the planning process of the human resource management, as theoretically, the effectiveness of the human resource management was achieved. However, further improvement is needed in certain areas concerning the actual performance during the implementation, which may imply there are some problems that may affect the effectiveness of the human resource management of the Hong Kong Police. Based on the evaluation, we suggest that Competency Assessment Methods can be used as a framework for the Hong Kong Police to develop a set of competency for evaluating the performance of the employees. Also, a number of ways were suggested to improve the existing promotion mechanism. The supervisor’s recommendation involved in it can be improved by giving guidelines to the supervisors and having a group of supervisors to evaluate the performance of the employee. Also the recommendations should base on credible information. Moreover, feedback channels should be given to the employees to raise their opinions towards the decision in the promotion mechanism. In order to improve the competency of the supervisors, training should be given to strengthen their accountability for handling their work. Also a flexible and cafeteria benefits package was recommended to increase the flexibility of the existing benefits package iv for motivating the employees by giving autonomy to choose the benefits they need

Moderate Alcohol Use and Mortality from Ischaemic Heart Disease: A Prospective Study in Older Chinese People

Abstract Background: Moderate alcohol use is generally associated with lower ischaemic heart disease (IHD) mortality but it is difficult to ascertain whether this is due to attributes of moderate alcohol users or the properties of alcohol itself. Evidence from populations with different patterns of alcohol use and IHD can provide crucial evidence. We assessed the association of moderate alcohol use with IHD mortality in older Chinese people from Hong Kong. Methodology We used Cox regression to determine whether moderate alcohol use was associated with IHD mortality in a prospective, population-based cohort study of all 56167 attendees, aged 65 years or over, from July 1998 to December 2000 at all 18 Elderly Health Centers operated by the Department of Health in Hong Kong. Principal Findings After a median follow-up of 4.2 years, there were 406 (188 in men, 218 in women) deaths from IHD in 54,090 subjects (96.3% successful follow-up). Moderate alcohol use in men was not associated with IHD mortality adjusted only for age [Hazard Ratio, HR 1.01 (95% CI 0.55 to 1.84) compared with never drinkers] or additionally adjusted for socioeconomic status and lifestyle. Almost all women were occasional drinkers and their current alcohol use was not significantly associated with IHD mortality [HR 0.88, (95% CI 0.51 to 1.53)]. Conclusions Moderate alcohol use had no effect on IHD mortality in older Chinese men. Lack of replication of the usual protective effect of moderate alcohol use in a setting with a different pattern of alcohol use and IHD could be due to chance or could suggest that the protective effect of alcohol on IHD does not extend to all populations

The Association of Problematic Smartphone Use with Family Well-Being Mediated by Family Communication in Chinese Adults: A Population-Based Study

Background and aims: Few studies have investigated the effects of problematic smartphone use (PSU) in the family context. We studied the association of PSU as a predictor with family well-being and the potential mediating role of family communication in Hong Kong Chinese adults. Methods: We analyzed data of 5,063 randomly selected adults [mean age (SD) = 48.1 (18.2) years; 45.0% men] from a dual landline and mobile telephone survey in 2017. PSU was assessed by the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version with higher scores indicating higher levels. Family well-being was assessed by three questions on perceived family health, harmony, and happiness (3Hs) with higher scores indicating greater well-being. Perceived sufficiency and quality of family communication were rated. Multivariable regression analyses examined (a) associations of PSU with family 3Hs and well-being and (b) mediating role of family communication, adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Results: PSU was negatively associated with perceived family health (adjusted β = −0.008, 95% CI = −0.016, −0.0004), harmony (adjusted β =−0.009, 95% CI = −0.017, −0.002), happiness (adjusted β =−0.015, 95% CI = −0.022, −0.007), and well-being (adjusted β= −0.011, 95% CI = −0.018, −0.004). Perceived family communication sufficiency (adjusted β = −0.007, 95% CI =−0.010, −0.005) and quality (adjusted β = −0.009, 95% CI =−0.014, −0.005) mediated the association of PSU with family well-being, with 75% and 94% of total effects having mediated, respectively. Discussion and conclusions: PSU was negatively associated with family well-being, which was partially mediated by family communication. Such findings provide insights for health programs to prevent PSU and improve family well-being

Secondhand smoke exposure (SHS) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Chinese never smokers in Hong Kong

Objective: The evidence on the effect of secondhand smoke (SHS) on Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is limited. We examined the relation between SHS and HRQoL among Chinese in Hong Kong. Methods: Adult never smokers from a probability sample of three cross-sectional waves (2010, 2012, 2013) of The Hong Kong Family and Health Information Trends Survey who completed the Cantonese-version of Short-Form 12 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF12v2) were included in the data analysis conducted in 2014. Models were used to examine associations of SHS with SF12 domains and summary scores of Physical (PCS12) and Mental Component (MCS12) with subgroups analysis by SHS locations. Results: After adjustments, SHS was associated with lower scores on all SF12 domains except physical functioning. PCS12 (regress coefficient=−0.76, 95% CI −1.34 to −0.17) and MCS12 (regress coefficient=−1.35, 95% CI −2.06 to −0.64) were lower in those with SHS exposure than those non-exposed. Those exposed to SHS in outdoor public places had lower scores on most SF12 domains and PSC12 and MCS12. SHS exposure in one's home and workplace was associated with lower scores on role physical, body pain and role emotional while SHS exposure in friends’ homes was additionally associated with lower social functioning and mental health scores. Lower MCS12 was associated with SHS exposure at all locations except one's home. Conclusions: Our study showed that SHS exposure, particularly in outdoor public places, was associated with decreased HRQoL. It can provide new evidence for stronger smoke-free policies on public places and promoting smoke-free homes

Brief advice and active referral for smoking cessation services among community smokers: a study protocol for randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Most smokers do not use smoking cessation (SC) services although it increases successful quits. Passive referral providing SC information to smokers is commonly used in SC studies. Little was known about active referral in the community setting. This study aims to motivate community smokers to quit by brief SC advice using a validated AWARD model (Ask, Warn, Advise, Refer and Do-it-again) that adjunct with active referral of smokers to various SC services in Hong Kong. Methods/Design This is a single-blinded, parallel three-armed cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) with two treatment groups of (1) brief SC advice using the AWARD model, active referral to SC services plus a referral card and a health warning leaflet (active referral group) and (2) brief SC advice using AWARD model and health warning leaflet (brief advice group) and a control group receives general very brief advice with a self-help booklet. A total of 1291 smokers will be recruited from 66 clusters (recruitment sessions) with 22 will be allocated to each of the two intervention and one control groups. SC ambassadors will be trained for delivering the interventions and conducting telephone follow-up. The primary outcomes are self-reported 7-days point prevalence (PP) abstinence at 3 and 6 months follow-up. Intention-to-treat principle and multi-level regressions will be used for data analysis. Discussion This is the first RCT on assessing a model combining brief advice and active referral to SC services among community smokers. The results will inform the practices of SC services and intervention studies. Trial registration NCT02539875 (ClinicalTrials.gov registry; registered retrospectively on 22 July 2015

Laboratório de indicadores de Governança Pública: uma proposta para mensurar a efetividade dos gastos na Segurança Pública Municipal

Anais do 35º Seminário de Extensão Universitária da Região Sul - Área temática: EducaçãoPressões por maior transparência e accountability tem sido o mote de muitas mudanças no setor público. No entanto, parece existir uma dificuldade de colocar tais conceitos em prática na área de segurança pública. Este trabalho apresenta algumas iniciativas do Laboratório de Indicadores de Governança Pública, do CESFI-UDESC, na criação de indicadores de efetividade dos gastos dos municípios do Estado de Santa Catarina, em segurança pública. São apresentados no trabalho o que foi feito até o momento e quais os desafios na mensuração das ações de políticas públicas para esta ár