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Effectiveness of Edutainment-Based Interventions in Increasing Knowledge of Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease Among School-Going Children in Nepal: Study Protocol for Colors to Save Hearts Quasi-Experimental Pretest-Posttest Study
Sponsor: Kathmandu Institute of Child Health
Summary
Background: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and its sequela, rheumatic heart disease (RHD), remain significant public health concerns in low- and middle-income countries, including Nepal. Despite their preventable nature, awareness of ARF and RHD among schoolchildren is limited. Innovative, age-appropriate health education strategies are urgently needed to promote early recognition and prevention. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an edutainment-based intervention in improving knowledge of ARF and RHD among school-going children in Nepal. Methods: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study design with a waitlist control group will be employed across 24 public schools in six diverse districts. A total of 2,400 students from Grades 6 to 9 will be included. The intervention integrates creative educational tools-coloring books, activity books, storytelling, videos, and interactive sessions-tailored to different age groups. Knowledge change will be measured using a validated questionnaire administered at baseline and post-intervention. Secondary outcomes include the prevalence of RHD-related symptoms assessed through clinical screening. Expected Outcomes: It is hypothesized that students in the intervention group will demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in knowledge scores compared to their baseline levels and the control group. The study will also assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and inform recommendations for broader school-based health education programs. Conclusion: This study addresses a critical gap in child health education in Nepal using an innovative, scalable approach. Findings will contribute to the evidence base for integrating edutainment into school curricula to combat preventable diseases like RHD in resource-limited settings.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
10 Years - 18 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
2400
Start Date
2025-07-28
Completion Date
2025-11-12
Last Updated
2025-07-15
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
education material
For students in Grades 6 to 7, the intervention comprises a coloring book that integrates storytelling and coloring assignments designed to explain key concepts related to ARF and RHD. In addition, students in these grades will watch video sessions that cover the symptoms, causes, prevention, and treatment of ARF and RHD. These videos serve to visualize the information introduced in the books. Complementing these materials, the intervention includes interactive classroom sessions facilitated by the trained field team, during which students will participate in guided discussions and activities to enhance their understanding and retention of health messages. For students in Grades 8 to 9, the intervention uses a more advanced format tailored to older adolescents. These students will receive an activity book that includes heart anatomy coloring assignments and games such as puzzles, scrambled words, and maze runs that incorporate facts and concepts about RHD.
Locations (1)
Kathmandu Institute of Child Health
Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal