Abstract
Background: The use of videogames as a public health tool is rapidly expanding. Accurate assessment of the efficacy of such games is complicated by many factors. We describe challenges associatedwith measuring the impact of playing a videogame with information about human sexual anatomy and reproduction and discuss motivations for, and solutions to, these challenges. Methods:The My Future Family Game (MFF) is a validated tool for collecting data about family planning intentions which includes information about human anatomy and sexual reproduction. We sought to assess the efficacy of the game as a tool for teaching sexual education using a pre-post model which was deployed in three schools in and around Chennai, India in summer of 2018. Results:The MFF game was successfully modified to collect data about players' pre-gameplay knowledge of sexual anatomy and processes. The post gameplay assessment process we used did not effectively assess knowledge gain. Designing assessments for games dealing with sexuality presents challenges including: effectively communicating about biological parts and processes, designing usable and intuitive interfaces with minimal text, ensuring that all parts of the process are fun, and integrating assessments into the game in a way that makes them invisible. Conclusion:Games can be an effective means of gathering data about knowledge of sex and reproduction that it is difficult to obtain through other means. Assessing knowledge about human sexual reproduction is complicated by cultural norms and taboos, and technical hurdles which can be addressed through careful design. This study adds to the sparse literature in the field by providing information about pitfalls to avoid and best practices in this evolving area.
Highlights
The acceptance of games as useful and effective tools for collecting data, educating players, and achieving positive behavior change is growing due to an increase in rigor in the deployment and assessment of applied games (Coovert et al, 2017; Zammitto, 2009)
Embedding outcomes assessment within the game itself is often described as an important design principle in building games, largely due to the fact that most games incorporate some form of player feedback and metrics as part of gameplay (Ifenthaler et al, 2012; Van Staalduinen & de Freitas, 2011)
The My Future Family Game (MFF) game was initially developed as a tool for collecting information about family planning intentions among adolescents in Mysore, India in 2017
Summary
The acceptance of games as useful and effective tools for collecting data, educating players, and achieving positive behavior change is growing due to an increase in rigor in the deployment and assessment of applied games (Coovert et al, 2017; Zammitto, 2009). Analysis of focus group feedback showed that sex education is included in the standard curriculum for adolescents, many young people do not have basic knowledge about human reproduction (Bertozzi et al, 2018). Including this information in the game would strongly motivate adolescents to play, and was supported by parents and educators as a way of communicating sensitive information. Methods: The My Future Family Game (MFF) is a validated tool for collecting data about family planning intentions which includes information about human anatomy and sexual reproduction. Results: The MFF game was successfully modified to collect data about players’ pre-gameplay knowledge of sexual anatomy and processes. Assessing knowledge about human sexual reproduction is complicated by cultural norms and taboos, and version 3 (revision)
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