No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Asthma and allergic disease in children is increasing in many Western countries but such trend has not been well-defined in Chinese populations. This paper aims to determine the prevalence of asthma and allergic disease in Hong Kong schoolchildren and compare it with previous data to identify a changing trend.We studied 4,665 schoolchildren aged 13-14 yrs using the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood (ISAAC) protocol to determine prevalence rates for asthma, wheeze, respiratory symptoms, rhinitis and eczema in 1994-1995. Additional questions on education levels of the parents and smoking status were also asked.Concordance between responses to the written and video questionnaires was good (76% for wheeze ever, 80% for current wheeze). Prevalence rates for asthma ever, wheeze ever, and current wheeze were 11, 20 and 12%, respectively, and were greater in boys (p<0.05). Rhinitis affected slightly over half of the subjects (52%), and eczema was reported by a sixth (15%), whilst current rhinitis and current eczema were present in 44% and 3.6% of children, respectively. In multiple logistic regression: odds ratio male sex (OR) 1.47; (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.15-1.86); current rhinitis (OR 3.00; 95% CI 2.36-3.81); current eczema (OR 2.34; 95% CI 1.40-3.93); and active smoking (OR 2.00; 95% CI 1.38-2.89) were associated with current wheeze; whilst severe wheezing attack was associated with: current rhinitis (OR 2.72; 95% CI 1.47-5.02); current eczema (OR 6.13; 95% CI 2.82-13.33); and active smoking (OR 4.62; 95% CI 2.43-8.76). Age, parental education and passive smoking were not important factors.When compared to previous epidemiological data obtained in 1992, the prevalence rates for asthma ever and wheeze ever had increased by 71 and 255%, respectively, in Hong Kong schoolchildren. The severity of asthma and respiratory symptoms showed a similar increasing trend. Further studies should aim to identify the role of the environment in the pathogenesis of asthma.

No abstract

No abstract

Out‐of‐class learning constitutes an important context for human development, and active engagement in out‐of‐class activities is associated with successful language development. However, not all out‐of‐class experiences are equally beneficial to learning, and it is of paramount importance to understand what quality out‐of‐class English language learning entails. This study surveyed 82 middle school EFL students on their out‐of‐class English language learning in order to identify the characteristics of the experiences that are associated with good learning outcomes. The study found that out‐of‐class learning composed of diversified constituents that met the varied needs in language learning and complemented in‐class learning by striking a balance between focus on meaning and focus on form were positively associated with good English grades, English language learning efficacy, and enjoyment. It also found that parents and teachers were significant sources of influence on the quality of students' out‐of‐class learning.