Evaluation of a Web-based malaria risk reduction game for study abroad students.
OBJECTIVE
Compare feedback strategies in 3 versions of an educational game.


METHODS
Study abroad students (N = 482) participated by playing the game and completing pregame/postgame surveys January-March 2010.


METHODS
This study employed an experimental design. Primary outcome measures were knowledge gain, player satisfaction, and risk perception.


RESULTS
One-third had previously traveled to a malaria-risk region, and two thirds planned to do so. Baseline malaria knowledge was low. Postgame knowledge and risk perception were significantly higher than pregame, irrespective of past travel status. The group that automatically received explanatory feedback following game decisions scored higher for mean knowledge gain, without differences in player satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
The challenges of designing a feedback strategy to support Web-based learning make these results highly relevant to health educators developing interactive multimedia interventions. The increasing number of students traveling to higher-risk destinations demands attention. Both malaria-naive and malaria-experienced students would benefit from this approach to travel health education.
School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53792, USA. lhartjes@wisc.edu
Laurie B
LB
Hartjes
Linda C
LC
Baumann
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D020407:Internet; D007858:Learning; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010465:Perception; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011634:Public Health / Q000193:education*; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012927:Social Control, Informal; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013334:Students; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult