Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Handwashing Education on Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes in Preschool Children

Overview

This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effect of virtual reality-based handwashing education on handwashing knowledge, skills, and attitudes in preschool children aged 5-6 years. The study will be conducted in a kindergarten setting in Istanbul, Turkey, with a total of 66 children who meet the inclusion criteria. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group receiving virtual reality-based handwashing education or the control group receiving traditional handwashing education. Data will be collected using a sociodemographic information form, a handwashing knowledge form, a handwashing skill assessment form, and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale for Children (PANAS-C). Outcomes will be measured before the intervention and one month after the intervention. The findings are expected to provide evidence on the effectiveness of innovative, technology-based educational approaches in improving hygiene behaviors in early childhood.

Hand hygiene is one of the most effective and cost-efficient methods for preventing infectious diseases, especially among preschool children who are more vulnerable due to their developing immune systems and limited awareness of hygiene practices. Despite the effectiveness of traditional education methods in increasing knowledge, these approaches may not always lead to sustained behavioral change. Therefore, innovative, interactive, and experiential learning methods are needed to improve both knowledge and practical skills in hand hygiene. Virtual reality (VR) technology has emerged as a promising educational tool that enhances learning by providing immersive, interactive, and multisensory experiences. VR-based education has the potential to improve attention, motivation, and retention, thereby facilitating the transformation of knowledge into behavior. This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups: a virtual reality-based education group and a traditional education group. The study will be conducted in a preschool setting in Istanbul, Turkey. A total of 66 children aged 5-6 years will be included in the study, with 33 participants in each group. Participants will be selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Children in the intervention group will receive handwashing education supported by virtual reality technology, while children in the control group will receive standard handwashing education using traditional teaching methods. Data will be collected using the Sociodemographic Information Form, Handwashing Knowledge Form, Handwashing Skill Assessment Form, and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale for Children (PANAS-C). The PANAS-C is a validated instrument used to assess children's positive and negative affective states. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline (pre-test) and one month after the intervention (post-test). The primary outcomes include handwashing knowledge and skill levels, while secondary outcomes include positive and negative affect related to handwashing behavior. The study aims to determine whether virtual reality-based education is more effective than traditional education methods in improving hand hygiene behaviors among preschool children. The results are expected to contribute to the development of evidence-based, technology-supported educational interventions in pediatric health promotion and infection prevention.