Using a serious game to promote community-based awareness and prevention of neglected tropical diseases

Abstract

A serious game is presented which embodies an approach to disease prevention and management that is community-based and incorporates principles of the One Health framework—a broader view of healthcare that encompasses people, animals and the environment. The game focuses specifically on two related neglected and emerging infectious tropical diseases, namely Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) and American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL). It seeks to inform and encourage changes in behaviours and attitudes in local populations, while involving multidisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals and researchers. The design of the learning outcomes, gameplay, client interface, and architecture of the game are discussed in detail, along with the process of collaboration among a team of computer scientists, designers, medical researchers, and practitioners which underpinned the development of the game. An expert study conducted to gather feedback from a multidisciplinary group of participants comprising medical researchers, veterinarians, healthcare service administrators, and community healthcare providers is presented which forms part of our initial assessment of this approach. The results of this study and their implications for the design of similar health-related serious games are also discussed.