The Effect of Escape Room Game on Reproductive Health Knowledge and Gender Equality Perception

The Effect of Escape Room Game-Supported Reproductive Health Education on University Students' Knowledge Level of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Gender Perception: A Randomised Controlled Trial

This study aims to evaluate the impact of an "escape room" educational game on university students' knowledge of sexual/reproductive health and their perceptions of gender equality. The research compares a group of students who received traditional theoretical education with a group that participated in an escape room game titled "Hidden Files in the Secret Laboratory" in addition to the same theoretical training. The primary goal is to determine if gamified learning enhances knowledge levels and shapes gender equality perceptions more effectively than standard education alone.

This is a pretest-posttest, parallel-group, randomized controlled experimental study conducted at Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University (2024-2025 Spring Semester).

The study population consists of 80 volunteer students enrolled in the Reproductive Health and Family Planning course, divided into two groups:

Intervention Group (n=40): Received standard theoretical education plus the "Hidden Files in the Secret Laboratory" themed escape room game.

Control Group (n=40): Received only the standard theoretical education.

Data collection was performed using a Descriptive Information Form, the Sexual Health and Reproductive Health Knowledge Scale, and the Gender Perception Scale. The study follows the CONSORT 2025 guidelines. Statistical analysis is performed using SPSS 26.0, including Chi-Square, ANOVA, and t-tests to compare pretest and posttest results between the groups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being 18 years of age or older.
• Being proficient in the Turkish language.
• Enrolled in the "Reproductive Health and Family Planning" course for the first time.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having any impairment that prevents effective communication (e.g., being a foreign national with insufficient Turkish reading/writing skills, or having hearing, speech, or cognitive disorders).