Revolutionary Health Education: The Impact of GErMiE on Student Knowledge and Attitudes

Abstract

Antibiotics, which were developed in the early 20th century, are extensively used to cure infections in both humans and animals. However, new antibiotic development has stopped, resulting in an alarming surge in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study investigates the effectiveness of the GErMiE (Germs Eradication Mission for Education) application in improving knowledge and attitudes about personal hygiene, specifically infection prevention and antibiotic use. A quantitative research methodology using a survey was implemented in this study, employing a one-group pretest-posttest design. This study involved 44 students from pre-university colleges in northern Malaysia. Data were analyzed descriptively (mean and frequency) and inferentially using paired samples t-tests. The results indicated significant improvements in both knowledge and attitudes towards personal hygiene care post-intervention. Specifically, the paired samples t-test revealed a significant increase in mean scores for knowledge (t=-2.34, p=.02) and attitudes (t=-2.03, p=.04). These findings suggest that the GErMiE application effectively engages students and enhances learning outcomes. Future research should investigate the long-term impacts and the influence of different game mechanics on learning and behavior change, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being.