Education Games Effective to Improve Knowledge, Attitudes, and Handwashing Practices in School-Age Children

Abstract

Background: Washing hands is a form of Clean and Healthy Living Behavior. Proper handwashing behavior needs to be instilled from an early age. One way to improve children's handwashing behavior is by using educational games.

Aim: This study aims to determine the effect of educational games on children's knowledge, attitudes, and handwashing practices.

Methods: This type of research was a quasi-experiment with a pre-posttest design without a control group. The research was conducted at SDN Jabung, Semarang City, Central Java, Indonesia. A sample of 72 respondents was taken by total sampling. A questionnaire measured the seven steps of handwashing knowledge and attitudes. Seven-step handwashing practices were measured using standard operating procedures. The educational game used is snake and ladder. Data were tested using the Wilcoxon Test.

Result: Most of the respondents were female (52.8%), grade 3 (36.11%), and the average respondent was nine years old. The mean pretest scores for knowledge and attitude of washing hands were 5.44 and 29.47. All respondents cannot practice washing their hands properly. The mean posttest scores for knowledge and attitude of washing hands were 7.18 and 34.60. The majority of respondents were able to wash their hands properly during the posttest (79.2%). The results of the pretest-posttest bivariate test for knowledge, attitudes, and handwashing practices obtained p = 0.000, p = 0.000, and p = 0.000.

Conclusion: The snake and ladder educational game for children effectively increases knowledge, attitudes, and the practice of washing hands with seven steps at SDN Jabung Kota Semarang.