Effectiveness of Play-Based Nasal Hygiene Education in Preschool Children

Determination of the Effectiveness of Play-Based Nasal Hygiene Education in Preschool Children: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a play-based nasal hygiene education program on nasal hygiene knowledge and skills among preschool children.

This completed cluster randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of a play-based nasal hygiene education program on nasal hygiene knowledge and skills among preschool children. The study was conducted in the kindergarten level of a public primary school in Istanbul, Türkiye. Two preschool classrooms were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. The intervention group received a structured nasal hygiene education program including visual educational materials, an animation-based video, and play-based skill practice activities, while the control group received no education during the data collection period. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and two weeks after completion of the intervention using performance-based and video-recorded assessments. After post-test measurements, the education program was also provided to the control group.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being enrolled in the preschool/kindergarten class of the school where the study was conducted
• Being able to speak and understand Turkish
• Having written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian
• Being willing to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having an active disease that could affect nasal hygiene practice during data collection
• Having any chronic disease
• Having structural anomalies that may cause nasal obstruction
• Having a physical or cognitive impairment that prevents communication, watching the educational materials, or completing the measurement tools
• Having previously participated in a structured education program on nasal hygiene or nose-blowing skills
• Not having written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian
• Not being willing to participate in the study