Empowering Children and Staff: A New Approach to Hygiene in Oberbergischer Kreis

A pioneering initiative in the Oberbergischer kreis district, north Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, has demonstrated the effectiveness of peer-to-peer education in promoting infection prevention within daycare centers. The project, which ran from September 2023 to June 2025, aimed to reduce infection outbreaks and boost vaccination awareness among young children.This innovative program not onyl enhanced health skills but also sought to alleviate pressure on the rural healthcare system.

Project Goals: Reducing Infection Chains and Promoting Vaccination

the core objectives of the project were twofold: firstly, to proactively prevent the spread of infectious diseases within daycare settings, and secondly, to increase knowledge and acceptance of vaccinations among children and their families. By focusing on early intervention and education, the initiative aimed to create a healthier environment for children and staff alike.

Training and Empowerment: Building a Foundation for Health

A key component of the project involved training daycare specialists in infection prevention strategies and effective interaction techniques. This training empowered them to lead discussions and promote healthy behaviors among their peers and the children in their care. the emphasis on participatory and dialog-oriented conversations fostered a sense of ownership and duty for maintaining a hygienic environment.

Kübra Karagöz, the project coordinator, highlighted the importance of engaging children through playful and age-appropriate methods. The characters of the monsters were deliberately chosen to arouse the children’s curiosity at an early stage and to pursue a child-kind, playful speech, she stated, emphasizing the creative approach used to capture children’s attention.

Campaign Days: Hands-On Learning and Fun

The project’s success was significantly driven by interactive “campaign days” held at participating daycare centers. Thes events provided children with opportunities to learn about hygiene practices in an engaging and memorable way. A particularly popular activity involved using UV lamps to demonstrate the effectiveness of handwashing, turning a routine task into a fun and educational experience.

Sarah Leisner, project management and health rapporteur in the health department, explained how the project’s long-term impact would be measured. In this way, the vaccination rates of the day care centers can be compared at two measuring points. In addition, these quantitative data is supplemented by qualitative results, she noted, highlighting the complete approach to evaluating the project’s effectiveness.

Improved Communication and Collaboration

Beyond the direct impact on children and staff, the project also fostered stronger communication channels between daycare centers and the local health department. Regular exchanges and close collaboration facilitated the efficient dissemination of information and recommendations, enabling quicker responses to infection outbreaks and building trust between the institutions.

Kaija Elvermann, from the Health Department, emphasized the value of the peer-to-peer approach. The results of the project are promising and show that the peer-to-peer approach can make a valuable contribution to infection prevention, she stated. The project’s success has led to its continuation, funded by the district’s own resources.

Looking Ahead: A model for Child-Friendly Prevention

The Oberbergischer Kreis Health Authority is proud to be a leader in implementing child-friendly infection prevention projects in daycare facilities. The positive outcomes of this initiative serve as a model for othre districts seeking to improve public health through innovative and engaging programs. The daycare centers can anticipate further campaign days and continued collaboration, ensuring a sustained focus on hygiene and well-being.

The project has been nominated for the NRW health prize, recognizing its significant contribution to public health in North Rhine-Westphalia.