The Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Occupational Health and Safety Training on Workplace Accidents and Occupational Health Literacy Among Adolescents in Vocational Education

NCT ID: NCT07043244

Last Updated: 2025-06-29

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 65 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-04-10
• Study Completion Date: 2025-06-18

Brief Summary

In Türkiye, Vocational Education Centers (VECs) provide apprenticeship and mastery training as well as vocational course programs under the regulation of the Ministry of National Education. These centers aim to equip learners with practical and theoretical skills aligned with labor market needs. In VECs, students receive theoretical education one to two days per week, while spending four to five days receiving hands-on vocational training at workplaces. As part of this structure, students are insured against occupational accidents and diseases and receive 30% of the minimum wage. Currently, approximately 1.5 million students are enrolled in VECs, with an employment rate of 88%, significantly higher than that of vocational high schools (55%).

The Motor Vehicles Technology field is one of the most populated programs in VECs. Türkiye's rapid advancement in the automotive industry has heightened the demand for a qualified workforce in this area. According to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Türkiye recognizes every person under 18 years as a child. However, the labor force participation rate among children aged 15-17 has risen to 22.1%. These children often work long hours under unfavorable conditions. Reports indicate that children working in automotive technology suffer from musculoskeletal issues, lack tetanus vaccination, and do not utilize personal protective equipment.

Despite Türkiye's ratification of international conventions addressing child labor, the prevalence of child labor and related adverse social and health consequences remain a challenge. Occupational accidents are alarmingly high among child workers. One critical factor in reducing such incidents is improving Occupational Health Literacy (OHL), defined as the capacity of workers to access, understand, and use information and services to make informed decisions regarding workplace health and safety.

This project aims to reduce work-related accidents and improve the OHL levels of child workers in the Motor Vehicles Technology field through a Virtual Reality (VR) simulation-based occupational health and safety education program. VR simulation provides a three-dimensional, interactive learning environment where users can explore and engage with simulated scenarios. VR is particularly suitable for demonstrating hazardous, costly, or complex processes that are difficult to replicate in classroom settings. According to literature, VR-based learning yields better educational outcomes compared to traditional methods, offering cost-effectiveness, efficient space use, and opportunities for self-directed learning.

The proposed program integrates VR simulations designed to present realistic workplace hazards and safety practices. Through immersive interaction, the program seeks to enhance learners' awareness and behavioral competence regarding occupational risks. This intervention, targeting Generation Z youth, aligns with the urgent need for innovative, tech-supported approaches to safeguard children's health in vocational contexts.

Conditions

Occupational Health; Work Accident; Labor

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: PREVENTION
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Virtual reality simulation Participants receive virtual reality-based occupational health and safety

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

virtual reality simulation

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

no description, work attempt completed

Control Arm: Participants did not receive any occupational health and safety training.

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

virtual reality simulation

no description, work attempt completed

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Children aged 15 to 18 enrolled in the Motor Vehicles Technology program at Sarıyer Atatürk Vocational Education Center, Residing in Istanbul during the data collection period and able to participate in face-to-face interviews, Officially registered for the 2024-2025 academic year, Regularly attending school, Regularly attending work-based training, Have not previously received virtual reality simulation-based occupational health and safety training, Have no physical or mental disabilities, Capable of using mass communication tools, Have parental consent, Willing to voluntarily participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria

Having any physical or mental disabilities, Unwilling to participate in the study, Irregular attendance at school or workplace, Students repeating a grade will be excluded from the study.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 15 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: MALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Locations

Sarıyer Atatürk Vocational Education Center

Istanbul, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

2025-010

Identifier Type: OTHER_GRANT

Identifier Source: secondary_id

2025/01

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id