Educational intervention: a useful tool for assessing knowledge of medical students regarding national vector borne disease control programme

Abstract

Background: Quizzes are considered one of the most effective methods for promoting self-learning and motivating students to be more attentive during teaching activities. Understanding of a National Health Programme is necessary for medical students not only because it is a part of the medical curriculum, but also to provide the same knowledge to others for control of vector borne diseases. Objective: Present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a quiz on knowledge of undergraduate MBBS medical students regarding National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme. Methods: All seventh semester medical undergraduates, (n=145) of Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College, Pune participated in the quiz and completed pre and post intervention questionnaires. The data was analyzed by using McNemar"s test. Results: Out of the ten questions, significant improvement in knowledge was found after the quiz in seven questions while for three questions though knowledge was increased it was not statistically significant. The response of students for insecticide used in insecticidal impregnated bed nets, which was zero in the pre-test increased to 6.9% in the post-test. Conclusion: Present study showed significant improvement in medical student"s knowledge regarding the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme as a result of a quiz based Educational intervention.