Towards prevention of new COVID-19 infections in institutions of higher education: factors influencing compliance with mask-wearing among public university students in Ghana
Abstract Background Ghana’s mask-wearing compliance with COVID-19 prevention protocols has not been as impressive among the general population. In this study, we examined factors influencing compliance with mask-wearing among public university students in Ghana to make recommendations for the preven...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Infectious Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-024-09110-9 |
| _version_ | 1797275734476062720 |
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| author | Fred Yao Gbagbo Richmond Opoku Rosemary Quarcoo |
| author_facet | Fred Yao Gbagbo Richmond Opoku Rosemary Quarcoo |
| author_sort | Fred Yao Gbagbo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Ghana’s mask-wearing compliance with COVID-19 prevention protocols has not been as impressive among the general population. In this study, we examined factors influencing compliance with mask-wearing among public university students in Ghana to make recommendations for the prevention of new COVID-19 infections in public universities. Methods We conducted this Census in a public university in Ghana between January and December 2022. The study design was an exploratory-cross-sectional and online survey. Structured questionnaires developed by the authors were used to collect data from 3,272 students. Data were analyzed with Jeffreys’s Amazing Statistics Program (JASP). Frequency distributions were used to summarize the data into tables and graphs whilst logistic regression analysis was done to examine the factors influencing compliance with mask-wearing among participants as well as their mask-wearing behaviors in school. Results Compliance with mask-wearing measures was high with 85.9% of the students wearing a nose mask always or often. Agreeing that the reusable masks do not last long was associated with a reduced chance of non-compliance (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.57, 0.86). However, agreeing with some challenges was associated with increased chances of non-compliance. These included concerns that it is boring to mask after wearing makeup or having a haircut (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.37, 2.14), and that masking is burdensome because it has to be removed when talking (OR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.01, 1.57), and that it is difficult to hear while masked (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.79). Conclusion Cost-benefit analyses, opinions about one’s look, and communication difficulties are the key factors influencing students’ non-compliance with mask-wearing regulations. To encourage student compliance with mask-wearing regulations at Ghana’s public universities, we recommend innovation in nose mask manufacture. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:17:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2225b1ebbf1e4e369721436a98db9c44 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2334 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:17:46Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Infectious Diseases |
| spelling | doaj.art-2225b1ebbf1e4e369721436a98db9c442024-03-05T17:48:22ZengBMCBMC Infectious Diseases1471-23342024-02-012411710.1186/s12879-024-09110-9Towards prevention of new COVID-19 infections in institutions of higher education: factors influencing compliance with mask-wearing among public university students in GhanaFred Yao Gbagbo0Richmond Opoku1Rosemary Quarcoo2Department of Health Administration and Education, University of EducationDepartment of Health Administration and Education, University of EducationDepartment of Clothing and Textiles Education, University of EducationAbstract Background Ghana’s mask-wearing compliance with COVID-19 prevention protocols has not been as impressive among the general population. In this study, we examined factors influencing compliance with mask-wearing among public university students in Ghana to make recommendations for the prevention of new COVID-19 infections in public universities. Methods We conducted this Census in a public university in Ghana between January and December 2022. The study design was an exploratory-cross-sectional and online survey. Structured questionnaires developed by the authors were used to collect data from 3,272 students. Data were analyzed with Jeffreys’s Amazing Statistics Program (JASP). Frequency distributions were used to summarize the data into tables and graphs whilst logistic regression analysis was done to examine the factors influencing compliance with mask-wearing among participants as well as their mask-wearing behaviors in school. Results Compliance with mask-wearing measures was high with 85.9% of the students wearing a nose mask always or often. Agreeing that the reusable masks do not last long was associated with a reduced chance of non-compliance (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.57, 0.86). However, agreeing with some challenges was associated with increased chances of non-compliance. These included concerns that it is boring to mask after wearing makeup or having a haircut (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.37, 2.14), and that masking is burdensome because it has to be removed when talking (OR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.01, 1.57), and that it is difficult to hear while masked (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.79). Conclusion Cost-benefit analyses, opinions about one’s look, and communication difficulties are the key factors influencing students’ non-compliance with mask-wearing regulations. To encourage student compliance with mask-wearing regulations at Ghana’s public universities, we recommend innovation in nose mask manufacture.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-024-09110-9ComplianceCOVID-19GhanaMask-wearingStudentsUniversity |
| spellingShingle | Fred Yao Gbagbo Richmond Opoku Rosemary Quarcoo Towards prevention of new COVID-19 infections in institutions of higher education: factors influencing compliance with mask-wearing among public university students in Ghana BMC Infectious Diseases Compliance COVID-19 Ghana Mask-wearing Students University |
| title | Towards prevention of new COVID-19 infections in institutions of higher education: factors influencing compliance with mask-wearing among public university students in Ghana |
| title_full | Towards prevention of new COVID-19 infections in institutions of higher education: factors influencing compliance with mask-wearing among public university students in Ghana |
| title_fullStr | Towards prevention of new COVID-19 infections in institutions of higher education: factors influencing compliance with mask-wearing among public university students in Ghana |
| title_full_unstemmed | Towards prevention of new COVID-19 infections in institutions of higher education: factors influencing compliance with mask-wearing among public university students in Ghana |
| title_short | Towards prevention of new COVID-19 infections in institutions of higher education: factors influencing compliance with mask-wearing among public university students in Ghana |
| title_sort | towards prevention of new covid 19 infections in institutions of higher education factors influencing compliance with mask wearing among public university students in ghana |
| topic | Compliance COVID-19 Ghana Mask-wearing Students University |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-024-09110-9 |
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