TITLE:
Impact of Game-Based Educational Interventions on Pupils’ Knowledge of WASH-Related Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Rural Kenya
AUTHORS:
Concilia Magaya Ogombo, Maximilla Wanzala, Tom Were
KEYWORDS:
Quasi-Experimental Design, Health Education, WASH-Related NTDs
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.13 No.6,
June
30,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: Games provide an immerse environment that foster active learning where pupils face consequences for their choices in a risk-free setting. They have been linked to enhancing engagement and motivation, improving learning outcomes, and fostering the development of essential skills among the participants. Despite the growing global interest in interactive pedagogy, there is a profound lack of empirical research exploring game-based intervention on WASH-related NTD prevention within the Kenyan context. Methods: A nonequivalent quasi-experimental design was adopted. The study targeted primary school pupils, who represent the most active demographic in terms of environmental interaction and are the primary focus of the National School-Based Deworming Program. The researcher adopted a power analysis to calculate sample size for the comparison groups. Data was analysed using paired t-test and independent t-test. Results: The researcher collected demographic data to characterize the study participants and to ensure comparability between the Treatment and Control groups at baseline. This similarity is crucial in a quasi-experimental design. It helps confirm that any differences observed after the intervention are attributable to the intervention rather than to pre-existing group differences. The overall knowledge on the causes of the common NTDs showed a statistically significant gain of 3.280 points (t (124) = ?26.078, p p p-values of less than 0.001. The results from the independent sample t-test showed that the Treatment group demonstrated significant greater gains as compared to the Control group. The exceedingly low p-values (p p p p Conclusion: The Game-based WASH intervention was highly effective intervention for increasing health literacy regarding WASH-related NTDs.Subject AreasPublic Health