Research Article

Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Hand Hygiene Training on Nursing Students’ Knowledge and Behavior: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Volume: 9 Number: 2 August 21, 2026
TR EN

Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Hand Hygiene Training on Nursing Students’ Knowledge and Behavior: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of virtual reality-based hand hygiene training on nursing students’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding hand hygiene. Method: A quasi-experimental study using a single-group pretest-posttest design was conducted with 102 nursing students. Data were collected using the Demographic Information Form, the Social Handwashing Knowledge Scale, the Social Handwashing Attitude Scale, the Hand Hygiene Belief Scale, and the Hand Hygiene Practice Inventory. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of the scales were found to be at an acceptable level of reliability. Students received training via virtual reality devices using the “Tork VR Clean Hands Training” application, which included interactive scenarios and educational videos covering routine and clinical hand hygiene practices. Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the pre-test and post-test scores on the Social Handwashing Attitude Scale, the Hand Hygiene Practice Inventory, the Hand Hygiene Belief Scale, and the “importance of hand hygiene” subscale (p<0.05). Strong, positive correlations were identified between the pretest scores of the Social Handwashing Attitude Scale and the Hand Hygiene Practice Inventory, as well as between the Hand Hygiene Belief Scale and its subdimensional score (p<0.001). Conclusion: It was concluded that virtual reality-based hand hygiene education positively influences students’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding hand hygiene and may serve as an effective, innovative, and practical educational method that supports the learning process in nursing education. The findings support the use of virtual reality in hand hygiene education.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

TUBITAK 2209

Project Number

1919B012204416

Ethical Statement

Before starting the study, ethical permission was obtained from the Ege University Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee with the number E-27344949-100-1066931. (29/12/2022)

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Public Health Nursing, Nurse Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

August 21, 2026

Submission Date

October 31, 2025

Acceptance Date

June 12, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 2

APA
Mermer, G., Karaköse, C., Gürtekin, B., & Çelik, M. (2026). Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Hand Hygiene Training on Nursing Students’ Knowledge and Behavior: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Hemşirelik Bilimi Dergisi, 9(2), 275-291. https://doi.org/10.54189/hbd.1808499
AMA
1.Mermer G, Karaköse C, Gürtekin B, Çelik M. Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Hand Hygiene Training on Nursing Students’ Knowledge and Behavior: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Hemşirelik Bilimi Dergisi. 2026;9(2):275-291. doi:10.54189/hbd.1808499
Chicago
Mermer, Gülengül, Ceren Karaköse, Büşra Gürtekin, and Melisa Çelik. 2026. “Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Hand Hygiene Training on Nursing Students’ Knowledge and Behavior: A Quasi-Experimental Study”. Hemşirelik Bilimi Dergisi 9 (2): 275-91. https://doi.org/10.54189/hbd.1808499.
EndNote
Mermer G, Karaköse C, Gürtekin B, Çelik M (August 1, 2026) Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Hand Hygiene Training on Nursing Students’ Knowledge and Behavior: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Hemşirelik Bilimi Dergisi 9 2 275–291.
IEEE
[1]G. Mermer, C. Karaköse, B. Gürtekin, and M. Çelik, “Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Hand Hygiene Training on Nursing Students’ Knowledge and Behavior: A Quasi-Experimental Study”, Hemşirelik Bilimi Dergisi, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 275–291, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.54189/hbd.1808499.
ISNAD
Mermer, Gülengül - Karaköse, Ceren - Gürtekin, Büşra - Çelik, Melisa. “Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Hand Hygiene Training on Nursing Students’ Knowledge and Behavior: A Quasi-Experimental Study”. Hemşirelik Bilimi Dergisi 9/2 (August 1, 2026): 275-291. https://doi.org/10.54189/hbd.1808499.
JAMA
1.Mermer G, Karaköse C, Gürtekin B, Çelik M. Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Hand Hygiene Training on Nursing Students’ Knowledge and Behavior: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Hemşirelik Bilimi Dergisi. 2026;9:275–291.
MLA
Mermer, Gülengül, et al. “Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Hand Hygiene Training on Nursing Students’ Knowledge and Behavior: A Quasi-Experimental Study”. Hemşirelik Bilimi Dergisi, vol. 9, no. 2, Aug. 2026, pp. 275-91, doi:10.54189/hbd.1808499.
Vancouver
1.Gülengül Mermer, Ceren Karaköse, Büşra Gürtekin, Melisa Çelik. Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Hand Hygiene Training on Nursing Students’ Knowledge and Behavior: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Hemşirelik Bilimi Dergisi. 2026 Aug. 1;9(2):275-91. doi:10.54189/hbd.1808499