Analyzing the comparative effectiveness of educational methods to foster children's dengue knowledge
Maria Julia Hermida1,2, Carolina Goizueta3, Federico Giovannetti2,4
1Universidad Nacional de Hurlingham, Instituto de Educación, Villa Tesei, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Plos One
|March 10, 2026
Summary
Educational interventions for dengue disease prevention were compared in Argentinian primary schools. All three methods—workshop, abbreviated workshop, and direct instruction—equally improved dengue knowledge immediately and after one month.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Medical Education
- Infectious Disease Prevention
Background:
- Effective dengue disease education is crucial for prevention.
- The optimal methods for delivering dengue knowledge in schools are not well-established.
- Dengue remains a significant public health concern, particularly in endemic areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of different educational interventions in improving dengue knowledge among schoolchildren.
- To assess the immediate and long-term impact of workshops versus direct instruction on dengue awareness.
Main Methods:
- A cluster-randomized controlled trial involving 390 10-year-old children in a dengue-endemic area of Argentina.
- Children were assigned to a workshop, abbreviated workshop, or direct instruction group.
- Dengue knowledge was assessed via questionnaire pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and one month later, controlling for teacher effect, concepts taught, duration, and baseline knowledge.
Main Results:
- All three educational interventions demonstrated equal effectiveness in enhancing dengue knowledge immediately after the program (average of 3 concepts learned).
- Knowledge retention was similar across groups one month post-intervention, with children retaining an average of 2 concepts.
- Each intervention showed varying strengths in teaching specific dengue concepts.
Conclusions:
- The choice of educational intervention for dengue prevention in schools may be more dependent on contextual factors, such as the specific concepts being taught, rather than the inherent superiority of one method over another.
- These findings contribute to the limited research comparing educational strategies for dengue knowledge.
- Tailoring educational approaches to specific learning objectives and contexts is recommended for optimal dengue prevention education.
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