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2. The Shifting Demographics and Lifelong Learning. Conference Paper
- Author
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Karmel, Tom
- Abstract
This paper was presented at the International Symposium on Lifelong Learning for Poverty Alleviation and Sustainable Development: Developing a Research Agenda for the Asia-Pacific in Hong Kong, 12-13 January 2011. Tom Karmel suggests that there are four implications of an ageing population: the need to improve labour force participation and productivity; the ageing population will provide a "demographic dividend" because there will be fewer young people to school; increasing life expectancy changes the arithmetic of the return to investments in human capital and makes investment in the middle-aged more attractive; and ageing populations in developed countries provide an opportunity for developing countries through the export of labour services. (Contains 4 tables, 6 figures and 2 footnotes.)
- Published
- 2011
3. Current Trends and Realities of International Students in East and Southeast Asia: The Cases of China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Malaysia
- Author
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Vuong, Quan-Hoang, Pham, Hiep-Hung, Dong, Thi-Kieu-Trang, Ho, Manh-Toan, and Dinh, Viet-Hung
- Abstract
By reviewing regulative documents and extant literature, this paper explores the realities and trends of international students in East and Southeast Asia (ESA). It also shows motivation and strategies of four new players in the international higher education sector in East and Southeast Asia i.e., China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia. Apart from showing that intraregional students have not predominated the overall international student population in the region anymore, the paper highlights that ESA region has become an established hub of international students rather than a new emerging destination as it was in previous years. The overall net flow of international students in this region was still deficit prior to 2010s, but the deficit in 2017 is still less than that of 2010?s. This is probably the first study of its kind to examine the trends of international students as well as of higher education policies of countries in the ESA region. The findings of this study shall provide an insight into international higher education trends among the ESA countries for stakeholders, including policymakers, university managers, faculty, students, and parents.
- Published
- 2021
4. Educating for Creativity: Bringing the Arts and Culture into Asian Education. Report of the Asian Regional Symposia on Arts Education: Measuring the Impact of Arts in Education (Hong Kong SAR, China, January 9-11, 2004) and Transmissions and Transformations: Learning through the Arts in Asia (New Delhi, India, March 21-24, 2005)
- Author
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United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, Bangkok (Thailand). and Meleisea, Ellie
- Abstract
The publication recounts two symposiums on Arts Education that took place in Hong Kong and New Delhi, India in January 2004 and March 2005 respectively. Two sections include papers covering the current situation of arts education in Asia and plans for the future. The first part has an introduction to culture and arts education in Asia, the vision and opportunities. It continues with a summary of outcomes from Asia region meetings on arts in education. A case is then made for mainstreaming the arts in Asian education, illustrated by four case studies. The final section discusses influencing policy and actions for reform in various countries in the region. Section two provides a glimpse into the future of arts education. Two papers discuss research on arts education outcomes and an evaluation framework; a further two focus on action plans and initiatives. An annex contains (1) an appeal from UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura for promotion of arts education and creativity at school as part of the construction of a culture of peace; (2) papers presented at the symposia; (3) list of participants; and (4) reference resources. (Contains 7 tables.) [The Asian regional symposium on Arts Education, "Measuring the Impact of Arts in Education," was a cooperative effort between the Office of the UNESCO Regional Advisor for Culture in Asia and the Pacific and the Hong Kong Institute of Contemporary Culture (HKICC). The symposium on Arts in Asian Education, "Transmissions and Transformations: Learning through the Arts in Asia," was a joint effort between the Office of the UNESCO Regional Advisor for Culture in Asia and the Pacific, and the India International Centre-Asia Project (IIC-Asia Project).]
- Published
- 2005
5. Assessing the Intended Participation of Young Adolescents as Future Citizens: Comparing Results from Five East Asian Countries
- Author
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Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE), Schulz, Wolfram, Ainley, John, and Fraillon, Julian
- Abstract
Based on student survey data from five East Asian countries, the paper contains an analysis of attitudes towards the use of personal connections in politics and towards personal morality among politicians. The first part of the analysis describes the extent and variations of these attitudes, which are viewed as of particular relevance within the East Asian context. The second part of the analysis investigates the relationship of these attitudes with student background and school-related variables such as civic knowledge as well as uncovering the extent to which these attitudes are related to indicators of future civic engagement among students. (Contains 1 figure and 7 tables.)
- Published
- 2012
6. On the Possibility of Mandarin Chinese as a 'Lingua Franca'
- Author
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Plumb, Christopher
- Abstract
Recently there has been an increase in the number of students learning Mandarin Chinese (in mainland China and internationally). This increase has led to speculation that Mandarin Chinese is becoming a mainstream global language to the point of becoming a "lingua franca." This paper utilizes research findings from different regions and focal points and argues that Mandarin Chinese could be accepted as a "lingua franca" within some contexts, but is unlikely to do so in others. It argues that Mandarin Chinese is generally accepted as the "lingua franca" of China and a possible "lingua franca" within the East Asian region, while unlikely to become a "lingua franca" globally. The paper compares a number of different reasons for studying Mandarin Chinese by different stakeholders (i.e. governments, school boards, individual students) as well as comparative numbers of language learners. This paper also examines if Mandarin is the dominant and undisputed form of global Chinese. It concludes by demonstrating that there is a greater need for further research into Mandarin Chinese as a "lingua franca."
- Published
- 2016
7. Asian Women in Transitions: How Modernization Affects Their Lives.
- Author
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Chiang, Linda H.
- Abstract
East Asia is the region which has experienced unprecedented growth in the past few decades. This growth resulted in the increase in education opportunities and the empowerment of women. Modernization and globalization provided opportunities for many women in China, Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan. Modern Asian women can obtain higher education and gain status in their careers; they are at the crossroads between tradition and modernity. This paper provides information about the women's movements in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan. Readers obtain an understanding of globalization and its impact on women's lives in these societies. It concludes that the status of women has improved dramatically over the last 30 years; but there are still obstacles that prevent women from achieving equity in political participation, equal pay, and equal share of household responsibilities. Contains a 13-item bibliography. (Author/BT)
- Published
- 2002
8. Experiences with the Situation Approach in Asia.
- Author
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Zimmer, Jurgen
- Abstract
This paper relates the experiences of an early childhood professor from the Freie University of Berlin on a trip through East Asia to provide advice and assistance on the situational approach to preschool education. Impressions of the sociopolitical and educational environment and needs of Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines are presented. It describes the educational and social problems in these nations, as well as the attitudes of local teachers, administrators, government officials, parents, and children. Among the impressions noted are: (1) the planners and inspectors at the workshop in Bangkok were not prepared to accept an imported package to meet their needs and wanted to develop an indigenous solution; (2) the relationship between the Thai village parents and the schools is adversarial; (3) the 1997 transfer of Hong Kong to Chinese control will have drastic implications for Hong Kong preschoolers, who are neither British nor Chinese; (4) preschools in Hong Kong are based on rigid drills and standardized exams; (5) the variety of religions in Indonesia is a significant factor for preschool development; (6) Indonesian preschools adapt primary school curricula; (7) Singapore schools resemble those of Hong Kong, with rote drills and standardized tests; (8) well-educated Singapore mothers are rewarded by being allowed to have more than one child; (9) in Malaysia, language, class, and race all impinge upon preschool education; and (10) in the Philippines, poverty, malnutrition, prostitution, and a guerrilla war require many different approaches to preschool development. (MDM)
- Published
- 1994
9. Comparison of Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Practices Used Globally
- Author
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Carter, Shani D.
- Abstract
Student learning outcomes assessment examines whether programs cover the material stated in their learning goals, whether students are learning the material, and the impact on student retention, graduation, post-graduation outcomes, and institutional accreditation, with the aim of providing faculty with data that can be used to help programs evolve or improve. While there is a plethora of research regarding effective methods of assessment used in the United States, little has been written regarding cross-national comparisons of assessment methodologies. This paper examines the current state of assessment in several nations and regions, and draws parallels in practices across countries. A literature search using the term "outcomes assessment" yielded 228 articles, of which, only 35 described practices outside the United States. Generally, searches on the terms "outcomes assessment" and "global" tend to return studies of outcomes assessment of teaching about global issues as it is practiced in the United States, rather than results about outcomes assessment practices used in other countries.
- Published
- 2019
10. Educational Initiatives for Older Learners
- Author
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Swindell, Rick
- Abstract
A rapidly ageing population has given rise to many innovative later life learning programs that engage older adults in the kinds of activities that are associated with successful ageing. Experts of all kinds retire and retired expert volunteers would seem to be the best people to run learning programs for other retirees. One of the best known approaches to later life learning is the low cost, widely accessible, University of the Third Age (U3A) model in which retired volunteers provide all the teaching/learning activities as well as the necessary administration expertise. Several leaders in late life adult education in different countries were contacted by email to contribute brief descriptions of U3A-like organisations within their regions. This paper contains summary details of: Lifelong Learning Institutes, Osher Institutes and Elderhostel in North America; and various U3A approaches in Australasia, China, Europe, South Africa, South America and a number of countries in Asia. The five elements of the Successful Aging model are related to these learning approaches leading to a proposition that many of them can be argued to be successful ageing organisations. The world first virtual U3A, U3A Online, which utilises volunteer teachers, administrators and other skilled volunteers from different countries, is also described. The paper concludes by noting that the Internet has opened up a low cost medium for research collaboration by U3As everywhere and calls for an international network of U3A researchers who carry out constituency research studies which would benefit the wider ageing population, nationally and internationally. The following is appended: U3A Online. (Contains 1 figure and 1 footnote.) [This paper has been adapted from a paper presented in January 2009 for the launch of the Hong Kong Elder Academy at the Hong Kong Institute of Education.]
- Published
- 2009
11. Governance of Open Universities--A Few Observations on Trends in Asia
- Author
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Kaushik, Madhulika and Dhanarajan, G.
- Abstract
Like all organisations, good governance is a fundamental requirement for the responsible and accountable management of universities in general and open universities in particular. This is to ensure that these (open) universities remain relevant to their mission of facilitating unfettered access to higher education for citizens and at the same time continue being reliable contributors to personal and institutional developments, the vital ingredients to maintaining sustained national development. While several studies have, in the past, been conducted on governance of universities, almost all of them have centred around conventional, face-to-face institutions. Not much published literature is in evidence on the governance of Open Universities. This paper, drawing from a study on the governance of a few open universities in Asia, tries to discuss the nature of their challenges, and the lessons that can be drawn from their practices and experience. The study focused on aspects relating to institutional autonomies such as curriculum, budgeting and financial management, admission standards, conferment of qualifications, academic staff appointments, development and promotions and research policies. Our findings indicate that, similar to conventional systems, the state plays a crucial role in many aspects of governance both in publicly funded and privately supported institutions. Recent attempts at governance transformation towards greater institutional autonomies is beginning to show limited changes in some but not all jurisdictions studied.
- Published
- 2018
12. Four Little Dragons' Technology Education.
- Author
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Lee, Lung-Sheng
- Abstract
Secondary-level technology programs in Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan (also known as the "Four Little Dragons") were compared by using a methodology incorporating four stages: description, interpretation, juxtaposition, and comparison. It was discovered that, in all four countries, technology education is required for all students in the lower secondary grades (grades 7-9) and offered on an elective basis to students in the upper secondary grades (grades 10-12). A trend toward increasing incorporation of information technology into technology education was noted in all four countries. Emphasis on higher-order thinking skills and the role of problem solving in the design process also appeared to be increasing in all four countries. Among the common problems faced by all four countries in the implementation of technology education were the following: lack of qualified teachers and adequate equipment; insufficient financial support and teaching hours; and out-of-date curricula. More dialogue among technology educators from Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan is necessary. All four countries' chances of fostering technology education are good provided they engage in ongoing and systematic curriculum development and effective professional supervision. (MN)
- Published
- 1998
13. Media Education: Definitions, Approaches and Development around the Globe
- Author
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Lee, Alice Y. L.
- Abstract
Background: Media education is the study of the media with the aim of cultivating people's media literacy. In the past four decades, media education has rapidly developed in school systems and communities all over the world. Each country has its own developmental trajectory. With the rise of the interactive new media, media education is going to have a paradigm shift, bringing media education study into a new era. Goals: This paper discusses the rationales, definitions and approaches of media education. It also provides an overview about the global development of media literacy training. Results: Although different countries define media education in different ways, they share the common goal of training media literate people to deal with the media in an intelligent and responsible way. Media education has been well developed in the West but in recent years Asia regions such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mainland China and Japan are gaining their momentum. With the emergence of various new media devices, media education is regarded as playing a more important role in cultivating wise prosumers in the 21st century.
- Published
- 2010
14. Non-Formal Education Broadcasting. Courier No. 20, December 1980.
- Author
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Asian - South Pacific Bureau of Adult Education. and Duke, Chris
- Abstract
This issue of Asian South Pacific Bureau of Adult Education Courier Service focuses on communications within the region. The first paper discusses development and communication and the training needs for workers in these areas. The next two items briefly address how broadcasting for nonformal education is being approached in Indonesia, which started a pilot project in 1977, and in Thailand, which started a Radio Correspondence project in 1978. The Technical Report of the Seminar on Planning and Management of Mass Media for Nonformal Education Programs in SEAMEO and Associate Member Countries (Singapore, November 27-December 5, 1978) is then reproduced in full. The next article reports progress of the Lingap ng Pangulo sa Barangay, a school-on-the-air program commenced in 1977 in the Philippines. The following three articles are extracts from papers concerning nonformal education broadcasting in Pakistan: (1) description of the Programms for Farmers, (2) evaluation of the results of an ongoing Adult Functional Literacy Project (AFLP) utilizing television at Community Viewing Centers, and (3) a followup of people who undertook the AFLP program. The issue concludes with two articles on problems of obtaining material in Western Samoa and on a recent seminar and workshop in Thailand for senior broadcast managers. (YLB)
- Published
- 1980
15. Distance Education in Asia and the Pacific. Volume II. Proceedings of the Regional Seminar on Distance Education (Bangkok, Thailand, November 26-December 3, 1986).
- Author
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Asian Development Bank, Manila (Philippines).
- Abstract
The paper presented in this three-part conference report trace the growth and development of distance education in the Asian and Pacific region. Part 1 provides a general review. Part 2 contains the following case studies: "Distance Education in India" (S. P. Mullick); "Distance Education in Indonesia" (Professor Setijadi); "Distance Education in Pakistan" (Shaukat Ali Siddiqui); "Distance Education in the Republic of Korea" (Kwon Soonchan and Chandong Kim); and "Distance Education in Thailand" (Iam Chaya-Ngam). The following country papers are included in part 3: "Distance Education in Australia" (Vernon White); "Distance Education in Bangladesh" (K. M. Sirajul Islam); "Distance Education in Bhutan" (Zangley Dukpa); "Distance Education in Burma" (Kyaw Sein); "Distance Education in Fiji" (Hari Ram); "Distance Education in Hong Kong" (Michelangelo Pagliari and John Anthony Frost); "Distance Education in Japan" (Yoshiya Abe); "Distance Education in Malaysia" (G. Dhanarajan); "Distance Education in New Zealand" (Douglas Gunn and Peter McMechan); "Distance Education in Papua New Guinea" (John Paul and Howard Van Trease); "Distance Education in the Philippines" (Remigio Romulo); and "Distance Education in Sri Lanka" (D.A. Kotelawele). (MN)
- Published
- 1987
16. Strengthening the Research-Practice Nexus: A Special Issue as a Springboard for Building the Capacity of Teacher Education Institutions in Asia
- Author
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Lim, Cher Ping
- Abstract
This paper demonstrates how the research-practice nexus may be strengthened in higher education by harnessing the conceptual ideas and key findings of a special issue to engage private and public organisations as partners to organise a regional workshop that is followed up by a suite of activities for teacher education institutions and their leaders to develop pre-service teachers' ICT in education competencies. The three day education deans workshop in June 2011 was organized by the Hong Kong Institute of Education together with UNESCO, Microsoft and SEAMEO. By bringing together these organisations and the regional education and ICT experts, the Asia-Pacific Education Deans Workshop provided a unique regional platform to discuss and share promising practices and lessons learnt, co-create a vision of technologies in teacher education within a community of practice, and co-construct a strategic plan to achieve that vision. (Contains 1 figure.)
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
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17. The Complexities and Challenges of Regional Education Hubs: Focus on Malaysia
- Author
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Knight, Jane and Morshidi, Sirat
- Abstract
The race to establish regional education hubs is a recent development in cross-border higher education. This article briefly examines the rationales and strategies used by three countries in the Middle East and three in South East Asia which are working towards positioning themselves as regional education hubs. The different approaches and purposes among the six countries highlight the need for a typology of education hubs. Three types are proposed: the student hub, the training and skilled workforce hub, and the knowledge/innovation hub. The final section of the paper takes a closer look at Malaysia's cross-border education initiatives and its actions to establish itself as a competitive education hub in a region where Singapore and Hong Kong have similar intentions. Whether Malaysia has the ability to make a quantum leap from being a student hub to becoming a knowledge/innovation hub remains to be seen and appears to be an optimistic outlook.
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
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18. Generalized Trust and Trust in Institutions in Confucian Asia
- Author
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Tan, Soo Jiuan and Tambyah, Siok Kuan
- Abstract
This study examines generalized trust and trust in institutions in Confucian Asia, covering six countries namely, China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam, and one dependent region, Hong Kong. Using data from the 2006 AsiaBarometer Survey, our study affirms the reliability and validity of using a two-item scale to measure generalized trust. Our analysis suggests that due to demographic differences, there are variations in the level of generalized trust of countries in Confucian Asia, despite the fact that these societies share a similar background in Confucian philosophy. The relationships between generalized trust and political trust, and between generalized trust and trust in public institutions, are weak but positive. The positive relationship between generalized trust and trust in economic institutions is only significant for some of the economies, while trust in international institutions has the weakest relationship with generalized trust for all societies. We conclude the paper with research implications.
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
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19. Caregiving in Developing East and Southeast Asian Countries [and] Caregiving among Middle and Low Income Aged in Hong Kong.
- Author
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International Exchange Center on Gerontology, Tampa, FL., Chow, Nelson W. S., and Kwan, Alex Y. H.
- Abstract
This report consists of two papers on caregiving in Asian countries. The first, "Caregiving in Developing East and Southeast Asian Countries" by Nelson W. S. Chow, discusses the change in the caregiving pattern for the urban elderly in developing countries of East and Southeast Asia. It includes examples from studies carried out in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Republic of Korea, and Shanghai. It is noted that, although the majority of the urban elderly are living with their families, the difficulties they encounter are still great, and the dependent economic position in which most of the elderly find themselves has reduced the respect shown to them and has made them feel inadequate and isolated. The second presentation, "Caregiving among Middle and Low Income Aged in Hong Kong" by Alex Y. H. Kwan, highlights some of the problems faced by the elderly when a society moves from being a traditional agrarian, trading-port community into an urbanized, international finance society of nearly 6 million people. Strains being experienced by the elderly and their families are identified, with an emphasis on caregivers and how Western values tend to affect support systems and family networks. The usefulness of community care programs in Hong Kong is examined. The article concludes that, although the family system is still playing the major role in providing the elderly with necessary care, the kind of care provided is far from satisfactory. (NB)
- Published
- 1988
20. UNIVERSITIES AND ADULT EDUCATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA, REPORT ON THE LEVERHULME CONFERENCE ON EXTRA-MURAL STUDIES (HONG KONG, OCTOBER 26-31, 1964).
- Author
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Hong Kong Univ. Dept. of Extramural Studies., HUGHES, IEUAN, and TSO, PRISCILLA
- Abstract
THE CONFERENCE PAPERS DEAL MAINLY WITH THE PROPER EXTRAMURAL ROLE OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN UNIVERSITIES, THE EXTENSIVE ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, EXTRAMURAL EDUCATION FOR PHILIPPINE WOMEN, THE PHILOSOPHY AND FUNCTIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES EXTERNAL STUDIES PROGRAM AND THE ROLE OF ITS LABOR RELATIONS CENTER IN EFFECTIVE TRADE UNION EDUCATION, PRINCIPLES OF EXTRAMURAL SERVICE TO BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, IMPACTS OF RAPID URBANIZATION IN HONG KONG, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND CHANNELS OF ASSISTANCE, AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON PROGRAM PLANNING AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF NEW EXTRAMUARL DEPARTMENTS. A UNESCO REPORT CONTAINING GUIDELINES ON THE NATURE, MISSION, ORGANIZATION, AND EDUCATIONAL FUNCTIONS (INCLUDING PREPARATION OF COMMUNITY LEADERS AND ADULT EDUCATORS) OF EXTRAMURAL DEPARTMENTS, IS DISCUSSED, AND THE NEED FOR A REGIONAL INSTITUTE FOR ADULT EDUCATION BASED IN HONG KONG AND ENTRUSTED WITH TRAINING, RESEARCH, AND CLEARINGHOUSE FUNCTIONS, IS URGED. INCLUDED ARE THE CONFERENCE AGENDA, THE REPORT ON A FOLLOWUP TOUR, AND LISTS OF OFFICERS AND PARTICIPANTS (WITH PHOTO). (LY)
- Published
- 1964
21. The Regime-Dependent Evolution of Credibility: A Fresh Look at Hong Kong's Linked Exchange Rate System.
- Author
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Blagov, Boris and Funke, Michael
- Subjects
MARKOV processes ,FOREIGN exchange rates ,TRUTHFULNESS & falsehood ,RISK premiums ,STOCHASTIC models - Abstract
An estimated Markov-switching DSGE modelling framework that allows for parameter shifts across regimes is employed to test the hypothesis of regime-dependent credibility of Hong Kong's linked exchange rate system. The model distinguishes two regimes with respect to the time-series properties of the risk premium. Regime-dependent impulse responses to macroeconomic shocks reveal substantial differences in spreads. These findings contribute to efforts at modelling exchange rate regime credibility as a non-linear process with two distinct regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
22. The return to value in Asian stock markets
- Author
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Brown, Stephen, Ghon Rhee, S., and Zhang, Liang
- Subjects
- *
STOCK exchanges , *LIQUIDITY (Economics) , *MARKET value , *EMERGING markets , *RATE of return - Abstract
Abstract: This paper investigates the returns to value strategies in four Asian stock markets: Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. Hong Kong, Korea and Singapore exhibit value premia while Taiwan shows value discounts. The impact of firm characteristics on value premia differs across the four markets. The robustness tests indicate that the value premia are time-varying. They become greater in the post-crisis period across all four countries, indicating that high volatility during the crisis period did understate the value premia. The value strategy''s excess return is sensitive to the sample selection rule and the firm size and liquidity effects. With tighter sample selection criteria, value premia tend to decline, which indicates that both the firm size effect and the liquidity effect are important sources of value premia. Unequal weighting assigned to financial variables in constructing the Average Price Rank (APR) based on the overall performance of single-variable approach does not necessarily improve the results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
23. 12-Month naturalistic outcomes of depressive disorders in Hong Kong's primary care.
- Author
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Weng Yee Chin, Chan, Kit T. Y., Lam, Cindy L. K., Wan, Eric Y. F., and Tai Pong Lam
- Subjects
MENTAL depression ,PRIMARY care ,GENERAL practitioners - Abstract
Background. In Asia, the role of primary care physicians (PCPs) in mental health delivery is not clearly defined and what happens to patients following a depressive episode remains poorly understood. Objective. To examine the 12-month naturalistic outcomes of depression in primary care and the impact of PCP identification. Methods. A cohort study was conducted. A total of 10 179 adults were consecutively recruited from the waiting rooms of 59 PCPs across Hong Kong to complete a survey which screened for depression. Blinded doctors provided data on their diagnosis and management; 539 screenedpositive and 3819 screened-negative subjects consented to telephone follow-up at 3, 6 and 12 months. Study instruments included Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale 20 and Short-Form Health Survey Version 2.0 (SF-12v2) and self-reported mental health and primary care service use. Results. 12-month remission rate was 60.31%. PCP detection had no association with remission. Identified patients had poorer health-related quality of life (HRQOL) at baseline but a faster rate of recovery in SF-12v2 mental component scores. PCP detection was associated with greater mental health service use at 12, 26 and 52 weeks, while GP consultation rates were only increased at 12 weeks. Conclusions. Over 1 year, ~60% of depressed patients experience symptom resolution, while 40% continue to suffer a chronic or remitting course of illness. Identification of depression by a PCP does not appear to affect remission of mood symptoms at 12 months, but is associated with a faster rate of recovery of HRQOL. PCP detection raises GP consultation rates temporarily however appears to enable more patients to access mental health services over 12 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
24. Inaccurate identification of rotavirus genotype G9 as genotype G3 strains due to primer mismatch.
- Author
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Mitui, Marcelo Takahiro, Chandrasena, T. G. A. Nilmini, Chan, Paul K. S., Rajindrajith, Shaman, Nelson, E. Anthony S., Ting Fan Leung, Nishizono, Akira, and Ahmed, Kamruddin
- Subjects
ROTAVIRUS diseases ,ROTAVIRUSES ,REVERSE transcriptase - Abstract
Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR is now the standard method for typing group A rotaviruses (RVA) to monitor the circulating genotypes in a population. Selection of primers that can accurately type the circulating genotypes is crucial in the context of vaccine introduction and correctly interpreting the impact of vaccination on strain distribution. To our knowledge this study is the first report from Asia of misidentification of genotype G9 as G3 due to a primer-template mismatch. We tested two published G-genotype specific primers sets, designed by Gouvea and colleagues (Set A) and Iturriza-Gomara and colleagues (Set B) on RVA from Hong Kong and Sri Lanka. Among 52 rotaviruses typed as G3 by set A primers, 36 (69.2%) were identified as G9 by nucleotide sequencing and set B primers. Moreover, of 300 rotaviruses tested, 28.3% were untypable by set A primers whereas only 12.3% were untypable by set B primers. Our findings reinforce the need to periodically monitor the primers used for RVA genotyping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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