Effectiveness of Social Media-Based Educational Intervention (WhatsApp) on Dental Health Knowledge, Practices, and Attitudes Among Primary School Children Aged 10-12 Years in Cairo, Egypt: A Quasi-Experimental Study
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 尚未招募
- 发起方
- 入组人数
- 150
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Change in Dental Health Knowledge Score
研究概览
简要总结
The goal of this study is to learn if educational videos sent through WhatsApp can improve dental health knowledge, healthy habits, and attitudes in primary school children aged 10 to 12 years in Cairo, Egypt.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Do children who receive dental health videos through WhatsApp have better knowledge about caring for their teeth after 8 weeks compared to children who do not receive the videos?
- Do children who watch the videos brush their teeth more often and correctly, and make healthier food choices?
- Do children who watch the videos feel more positive about taking care of their teeth and visiting the dentist?
Researchers will compare children in Grade 5 who receive 6 short dental health videos through WhatsApp (one video per week for 6 weeks) to children in Grade 6 who continue their normal school activities to see if the videos lead to better knowledge, healthy habits, and more positive attitudes about dental health.
Participants will:
- Answer questions about their dental health knowledge, tooth brushing and eating habits, and feelings about dental care at the start of the study (takes about 15 to 20 minutes in a private room at school)
- Children in Grade 5 will join a WhatsApp group and receive one short video (2 to 5 minutes) each week for 6 weeks about topics like why teeth are important, how to brush teeth correctly, which foods are goo
详细描述
STUDY DESIGN AND RATIONALE
This is a quasi-experimental pre-post study with a non-equivalent control group. The study compares WhatsApp-delivered video-based educational intervention (intervention group) to standard school activities (control group) among primary school children aged 10-12 years in Cairo, Egypt.
Quasi-experimental design was chosen because randomization at the individual level was not feasible in the school setting. To minimize contamination between groups, children were assigned by grade level: all Grade 5 students form the intervention group, and all Grade 6 students form the control group. This approach reduces daily interaction between groups while maintaining comparable baseline characteristics.
The intervention is based on social cognitive theory, which emphasizes observational learning, self-efficacy, and behavioral modeling. Videos were selected to demonstrate proper techniques, provide positive role models, and build confidence in children's ability to practice good oral health behaviors.
INTERVENTION DESCRIPTION
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Non Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Prevention
- 盲法
- None
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 10 Years 至 12 Years（Child）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •Children aged 10 to 12 years (Grades 5 or 6)
- •Enrolled in the selected public primary school in Cairo, Egypt
- •Able to understand and speak Arabic
- •Parent or legal guardian provides written informed consent
- •Child provides verbal assent to participate
- •Child or parent has access to a smartphone with WhatsApp (for intervention group only)
- •Child or parent willing to join WhatsApp group and view educational videos (for intervention group only)
- •Able to complete questionnaire interview in Arabic
排除标准
- •Children with severe cognitive or developmental disabilities that would prevent understanding questionnaire items or educational content
- •Children with serious chronic medical conditions requiring intensive medical care that would interfere with study participation
- •Children who are unable to attend school regularly (more than 2 days absence per week on average)
- •Children who plan to transfer to another school during the study period (8 weeks)
- •Children whose parents refuse consent or who refuse to provide assent
- •Children currently participating in another dental health education program or clinical trial
- •For intervention group: children or parents without smartphone access or unwilling to use WhatsApp
研究组 & 干预措施
Intervention Group
Grade 5 students (n=75) who receive six educational videos about dental health delivered via WhatsApp over 6 weeks (one video per week, posted every Monday at 4:00 PM). Videos are 2-5 minutes long and cover: Week 1 - Why teeth are important, Week 2 - Proper brushing technique, Week 3 - Foods that harm teeth, Week 4 - Foods good for teeth, Week 5 - Importance of dental visits, Week 6 - Fun tips for healthy smiles. All videos are in Arabic with colorful animations appropriate for children aged 10-12 years. Children are assessed at baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 8).
干预措施: WhatsApp-Based Dental Health Education for Children (Behavioral)
Control Group
Grade 6 students (n=75) who continue their usual school curriculum and home activities without receiving study-related educational materials during the 8-week study period. Children are assessed at baseline (Week 0) and at Week 8 using the same questionnaires as the intervention group. After completing post-intervention assessments, this group will be invited to join a separate WhatsApp group to receive all six educational videos for ethical reciprocity.
结局指标
主要结局
Change in Dental Health Knowledge Score
时间窗: Baseline (Week 0) and 8 weeks after baseline
Change in dental health knowledge from baseline to Week 8, measured using a validated 10-item questionnaire. Each correct answer scores 1 point (total score range 0-10, with higher scores indicating better knowledge). Questions assess knowledge about tooth anatomy and functions, causes of tooth decay, proper brushing technique, recommended brushing frequency and duration, beneficial and harmful foods for teeth, and importance of regular dental visits. Good knowledge is defined as a score of 8 or higher out of 10. The primary outcome is the mean change in knowledge score between baseline and Week 8.
次要结局
- Change in Dental Health Practices Score(Baseline (Week 0) and 8 weeks after baseline)
研究者
Rana Mohamed Ahmed Farghal
Technical Advisor, Office of the Egyptian Minister of Health and Population
Military Medical Academy,Egypt