The effectiveness of rabies hunter game application on dog bite prevention among school-aged children in southern region of Sarawak, Malaysia

Abstract EN

Educational intervention is beneficial in preventing future dog bite.

Most dog bite cases involved children aged below 15 years old.

In view of most children in this technology era play computer, web, portable or console games using computers, cell phones or handheld organizers, we developed Rabies Hunter mobile game application as a novel educational intervention to prevent dog bite among children.

Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Rabies Hunter game application on safety knowledge on dog’s behaviour, perceived vulnerability towards dog, precautionary behaviour around dog and help-seeking behaviour following dog bite.

Methodology: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with control group (N = 188) and intervention group (N = 222).

Questionnaires were administered to respondents during three different sessions.

Results and Findings: Safety knowledge on dog’s behaviour was more significantly improved in intervention [F(2,442) = 30.66, p < 0.001] than control [F(1.91,357.47) = 5.14, p = 0.007] groups.

Perception on vulnerability towards dog in control and intervention groups improved significantly with F(1.88,352.40) = 9.26, p < 0.001 and F(1.83,404.54) = 146.57, p < 0.001 respectively.

Significant difference in precautionary behaviour around dog was higher in control [F(1.93,361.30) = 5.47, p = 0.005] than intervention group [F(2,442) = 3.86, p = 0.022].

Changes in help-seeking behaviour following dog bite was only observed in intervention group [F(1.95,429.91) = 5.10, p = 0.007].

Significant difference between groups after final post-intervention was observed in perception on vulnerability towards dog [t(355.56) = (-4.47), p < 0.001] only.

Thus, exposure to Rabies Hunter game application is potentially effective in preventing dog bite incidence.