Objective

The study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention based on cooperative learning on the acquisition of knowledge and skills on hand washing. In addition, the interest and self-perception was studied of the participants on the acquisition of knowledge and skills.

Methods

This was a pre-post intervention study with 49 students from the second course of the Nursing degree, evaluating: i) acquisition of knowledge with an ad hoc questionnaire; ii) skills on hand washing by conducting the technique with reagent solution and verification with fluorescent lamp; and iii) interest and self-perception of the importance of acquiring knowledge and skills with specific questions.

Results

The mean age was 21.8 years, 83.7% were women, and 32.6% had prior studies related with health. Significant post-intervention improvement was evident in the level of knowledge (p<0.001) and skills (p<0.001). Interest for the intervention (m=4.1±0.6) and perception on the acquisition of knowledge (m=4.4±0.6) and skills (m=4.3±0.5) were scored high (scale from 1 to 5).

Conclusion

The cooperative learning intervention improved knowledge and skills on hand washing in nursing students and awakened their interest.

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