Digital Storytelling: A Video-based Approach for Engaging University Students in Health Education

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Digital stories are short videos that use narrative structures to address health outcomes from a personal perspective. AIM: The main objective of this study was to train university students to design a video-based health education program for promoting peer-to-peer education and community awareness. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. The study was conducted as a project for medical students, enrolled in the implementation of the Egyptian Youth Initiative (EYI), executed in response to the Government of Egypt- United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Country Program of Cooperation for 2016 - 2018. A four-day train-the-trainer workshop established for capacity building on DST and video communication. RESULTS: Between June 2017 and May 2018, 120 eligible students were enrolled, among whom median age was 21 years and 67 (55%) were female. Pre- and posttests detected increased percent change of students’ knowledge regarding different health issues. Open-ended questions highlighted pros and cons of the program, the most important skills and knowledge gained, suggestions and recommendations mentioned by the students to maximize the use of this type of workshops in the framework of strengthening and activating the initiative outcome. The trainer created a grading rubric to evaluate student’s video projects. CONCLUSION: The digital story is a lay method to capture meaningful, impactful stories that can be used to advocate for public health concerns and crises. The study highlights the need for high-quality research on the impact of DST in health professionals’ education and behaviors.