Ralitsa Diana Debrah, Justice Koranteng, Adam Rahman, Kwabena Afriyie Poku

Developing a Hygiene-Focused Colouring Book: An Innovative Educational Approach for Promoting Sanitation and Environmental Sustainability in Ghanaian Schools

Introduction

Developing a hygiene-focused colouring book: an innovative educational approach for promoting sanitation and environmental sustainability in ghanaian schools. Discover an innovative hygiene-focused colouring book for Ghanaian schoolchildren. This educational tool promotes sanitation, environmental sustainability, and disease prevention through engaging activities.

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a new method for a colouring book focusing on hygiene for schoolchildren in Ghana. This approach was designed to improve their understanding of hygiene practices and promote environmental sustainability. Insufficient sanitation has severe consequences, especially for  mpoverished communities, as it contributes to the spread of infectious diseases that disproportionately affect young individuals. According to the World Health Organisation, a staggering 600 million urban residents lack access to proper housing and basic sanitary services, including clean water and effective waste management. These challenging conditions primarily impact impoverished populations living in remot areas, making them invisible in terms of government assistance for sanitation and healthcare programmes. Inadequate waste disposal methods can lead to fatal infectious diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, tuberculosis, and dengue fever, particularly among young people. The study employed a studio-based approach to develop an educational colouring book. This book, a type of activity book, combines the creative engagement of colouring with instructional content. Its primary aim is to effectively teach children about the importance of sanitation and how to improve their hygiene practices. This colouring book serves as an interactive and enjoyable tool for children to learn about maintaining cleanliness in their surroundings, practising proper hand washing, and disposing of waste appropriately. By engaging children through pictures and activities, the colouring book successfully promotes good hygiene practices and helps prevent the transmission of diseases caused by inadequate sanitation

Review

This study proposes an innovative approach to address critical public health challenges in Ghanaian schools through the development of a hygiene-focused colouring book. The abstract effectively highlights the severe consequences of insufficient sanitation, particularly in impoverished communities, where it disproportionately affects young individuals and contributes to the spread of infectious diseases. The authors identify a significant gap in accessible educational tools, especially for populations often overlooked by government aid. The concept of leveraging a creative and interactive medium like a colouring book to promote essential hygiene practices and environmental sustainability among schoolchildren is highly commendable and demonstrates a thoughtful approach to a pressing global issue. The methodology describes a "studio-based approach" for developing this educational resource, emphasizing its design as an activity book that integrates creative engagement with instructional content. The primary aim of teaching children about the importance of sanitation, proper hand washing, maintaining cleanliness, and appropriate waste disposal methods is clearly articulated. The abstract positions the colouring book as an enjoyable and interactive tool that can effectively engage children through pictures and activities, thereby promoting good hygiene and preventing disease transmission. This strategic choice of medium has the potential to overcome literacy barriers and make vital health information accessible and memorable for its target audience. While the abstract clearly outlines the rationale and the developmental intent of the colouring book, it largely focuses on the *aims* and *design* rather than presenting any empirical findings or details of its implementation and evaluation. Critical information such as the specific content developed, the theoretical framework guiding its design, the target age group within Ghanaian schools, or any pilot testing results are absent. To strengthen future reporting, it would be beneficial to include details on the validation process of the book's content, initial reception from children or educators, and plans for a robust efficacy study. Nevertheless, this initiative represents a promising step towards culturally relevant and engaging health education interventions, deserving further exploration and rigorous testing to ascertain its impact.

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