Young People's Knowledge of Antibiotics and Vaccinations and Increasing This Knowledge Through Gaming: Mixed-Methods Study Using e-Bug

Charlotte Victoria Eley; Vicki Louise Young; Catherine Victoria Hayes; Neville Q Verlander; Cliodna Ann Miriam McNulty

doi:10.2196/10915

Young People's Knowledge of Antibiotics and Vaccinations and Increasing This Knowledge Through Gaming: Mixed-Methods Study Using e-Bug

JMIR Serious Games. 2019 Feb 1;7(1):e10915. doi: 10.2196/10915.

Authors

Charlotte Victoria Eley¹, Vicki Louise Young¹, Catherine Victoria Hayes¹, Neville Q Verlander², Cliodna Ann Miriam McNulty¹

Affiliations

¹ Primary Care Unit, Public Health England, Gloucester, United Kingdom.
² Statistics Unit, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom.

PMID: 30707096
PMCID: PMC6376338
DOI: 10.2196/10915

Abstract

Background: e-Bug, led by Public Health England, educates young people about important topics: microbes, infection prevention, and antibiotics. Body Busters and Stop the Spread are 2 new e-Bug educational games.

Objective: This study aimed to determine students' baseline knowledge, views on the games, and knowledge improvement.

Methods: Students in 5 UK educational provisions were observed playing 2 e-Bug games. Before and after knowledge and evaluation questionnaires were completed, and student focus groups were conducted.

Results: A total of 123 junior and 350 senior students completed the questionnaires. Vaccination baseline knowledge was high. Knowledge increased significantly about antibiotic use, appropriate sneezing behaviors, and vaccinations. In total, 26 student focus groups were conducted. Body Busters was engaging and enjoyable, whereas Stop the Spread was fast-paced and challenging but increased vaccination and health behavior intentions.

Conclusions: e-Bug games are an effective learning tool for students to enhance knowledge about microbes, infection prevention, and antibiotics. Game-suggested improvements should help increase enjoyment.

Keywords: antibiotics; children; education; knowledge; vaccines.

©Charlotte Victoria Eley, Vicki Louise Young, Catherine Victoria Hayes, Neville Q Verlander, Cliodna Ann Miriam McNulty. Originally published in JMIR Serious Games (http://games.jmir.org), 01.02.2019.