Gamifying Hand Hygiene: A Public Health Digital Intervention with Malaysia’s Ministry of Health

Category: Digital Health / Behavior Change / Public-Private Partnerships

Overview
I led the design and implementation of a motion-tracking, gamified app to improve hand hygiene behaviors among preschool children — in collaboration with Malaysia’s Ministry of Health (MOH). This digital public health initiative not only supported a published quasi-experimental study, but also bridged public impact with commercial strategy by promoting BETADINE® hygiene products in innovative, experience-led ways.

The Challenge
Hand hygiene education for young children is traditionally passive and hard to measure. Compliance is inconsistent, and behavior change is rarely sustained without continuous reinforcement. We saw an opportunity to use digital technology to make handwashing fun, trackable, and habit-forming — starting in schools and extending into homes.

My Approach
As Product Lead, I oversaw the end-to-end development and delivery of the solution:

Developed the digital app in partnership with a motion-tracking tech provider

Designed a gamified experience that detects hand movements and rewards correct handwashing steps

Managed field deployment in Malaysian preschools: installing tablets, onboarding school and MOH staff, and troubleshooting in real time

Led data collection to support a quasi-experimental study on digital behavior change — later published in peer-reviewed journals

Expanded the app into a consumer version for parents to use at home

Integrated brand engagement features — including BETADINE® product offers and interactive retail displays — to connect public health education with commercial visibility

The Result
The study demonstrated improved handwashing technique, increased frequency, and sustained behavior change among children — supporting digital tools as effective behavior-change interventions. The app also strengthened BETADINE®'s public image as a health education leader, while driving in-store promotions and parent engagement.

📖 Published Study in World Journal of Pediatrics:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7073378/