Comparative analysis of computer-based nutrition education in primary schools of Lahore and Vienna

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the present study was twofold. It aimed to implement and evaluate a computer-based nutrition education intervention in the primary schools of Pakistan and to explore the acceptability of such a program in the Pakistani context. Secondly, the study attempted to compare results of the present study with the study results of ‘Cool Food Planet Kidz’ (Kreisel K, 2004). DESIGN The study design was multi-factorial with repeated measurements. SETTING 11 Primary schools of Lahore, Pakistan PARTICIPANTS Schoolchildren of 8-11 years of age METHODS In a two-week school-based nutrition education intervention, comparison group received nutrition education through worksheets, card and board games. Intervention group used computer-based tool along with worksheets, card and board games. Control group was not provided nutrition education. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Nutrition knowledge was (mean number of correct answers) assessed in each child at baseline, post-intervention and three months’ follow-up. ANALYSIS Chi square, Mann-Whitney U test and General Linear Model (GLM), with repeated measures were used. RESULTS The nutrition knowledge increased significantly in both intervention and comparison groups (p<0.001). No tangible difference was observed at post-intervention and follow-up between the two groups. The intervention effect was significantly maintained at three months’ follow-up, indicating the retention of the nutrition knowledge. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Computer-based tools were found helpful in disseminating nutrition education. However, they were not the panacea. Other creative mediums were almost equally effective in disseminating nutrition knowledge. The low level of nutrition knowledge urgently demands incorporation of the nutrition education in the school curriculum.