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Improving Sexual Health Education Programs for Adolescent Students through Game-Based Learning and Gamification

Author

Listed:
  • Hussein Haruna

    (Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China)

  • Xiao Hu

    (Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China)

  • Samuel Kai Wah Chu

    (Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China)

  • Robin R. Mellecker

    (Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China)

  • Goodluck Gabriel

    (Animation Creation Department, Innovative Development Tanzania, 63 Galu Street, Ada Estate, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania)

  • Patrick Siril Ndekao

    (Directorate of Library Services, Institute of Finance Management, 5 Shaaban Robert Street 11101, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania)

Abstract

An effective innovative pedagogy for sexual health education is required to meet the demands of technology savvy digital natives. This study investigates the extent to which game-based learning (GBL) and gamification could improve the sexual health education of adolescent students. We conducted a randomized control trial of GBL and gamification experimental conditions. We made a comparison with traditional teaching as a control condition in order to establish differences between the three teaching conditions. The sexual health education topics were delivered in a masked fashion, 40-min a week for five weeks. A mixed-method research approach was uses to assess and analyze the results for 120 students from a secondary school in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Students were divided into groups of 40 for each of the three teaching methods: GBL, gamification, and the control group (the traditional teaching method). The average post-test scores for GBL (Mean = 79.94, SD = 11.169) and gamification (Mean = 79.23, SD = 9.186) were significantly higher than the control group Mean = 51.93, SD = 18.705 ( F (2, 117) = 54.75, p = 0.001). Overall, statistically significant differences ( p ≤ 0.05) were found for the constructs of Motivation, Attitude, Knowledge, and Engagement (MAKE). This study suggests that the two innovative teaching approaches can be used to improve the sexual health education of adolescent students. The methods can potentially contribute socially, particularly in improving sexual health behaviour and adolescents’ knowledge in regions plagued by years of sexual health problems, including HIV/AIDS.

Suggested Citation

  • Hussein Haruna & Xiao Hu & Samuel Kai Wah Chu & Robin R. Mellecker & Goodluck Gabriel & Patrick Siril Ndekao, 2018. "Improving Sexual Health Education Programs for Adolescent Students through Game-Based Learning and Gamification," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-26, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:9:p:2027-:d:170301
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hussein Haruna & Xiao Hu & Samuel Kai Wah Chu, 2018. "Adolescent School-Based Sexual Health Education and Training: A Literature Review on Teaching and Learning Strategies," Global Journal of Health Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 10(3), pages 172-172, March.
    2. Hyde, Abbey & Howlett, Etaoine & Brady, Dympna & Drennan, Jonathan, 2005. "The focus group method: Insights from focus group interviews on sexual health with adolescents," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(12), pages 2588-2599, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Devi Leena Bose & Anhad Hundal & Sabina Singh & Shweta Singh & Kuhika Seth & Saif ul Hadi & Ashrita Saran & Jessy Joseph & Kriti Goyal & Solomon Salve, 2023. "Evidence and gap map report: Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) interventions for strengthening HIV prevention and research among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in low‐ and middl," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(1), March.
    2. Petra Macounová & Hana Tomášková & Anna Šnajdrová & Markéta Stanovská & Martina Polochová & Ivan Tomášek & Rastislav Maďar, 2021. "Education of Adolescents in the Prevention of HIV/AIDS in the Czech Republic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-12, June.
    3. Alfonso D. Gajardo Sánchez & Luis R. Murillo-Zamorano & Joséà ngel López-Sánchez & Carmen Bueno-Muñoz, 2023. "Gamification in Health Care Management: Systematic Review of the Literature and Research Agenda," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, December.
    4. Luis Miguel Dos Santos, 2021. "Promoting Sexual Health Knowledge through a Social Workers’ Mentorship Programme: A Study of Gay Young Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-18, May.

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