Preferences and Practices of Face Mask to Halt the Spread of COVID-19: A Multi-Country Research on the New Normal
Objective: To determine preferences and practices regarding facemasks in order to prevent COVID-19 spread among citizens of different countries. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted from July to August, 2020. Participants of more than 15 years of age, irrespective of the residing cou...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Liaquat National Journal of Primary Care |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lnh.edu.pk/lnjpc/pdf/1a6d5954-11cb-4878-9230-603007158fb4.pdf |
| Summary: | Objective: To determine preferences and practices regarding facemasks in order to prevent COVID-19 spread among citizens of
different countries.
Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted from July to August, 2020. Participants of more than 15 years of age, irrespective
of the residing country and gender, who had access to the internet and understood the English language, were voluntarily asked to
participate in the study. The survey form was distributed digitally among 12 different countries through social media platforms. The
survey form had the following 4 sub-sections: Section one included a written informed consent form, section two included questions
regarding socio-demographics, the third section included a question on face mask preferences, fourth section assessed respondents’
practices regarding face mask wearing in terms of hygiene and disposing habits.
Results: Among the 2,573 participants, the mean age was 32.58±11.65 years with the majority being females (54.8%). From all
the included 12 countries, it was found that a surgical mask was the most preferred type of face mask and there was a statistically
significant difference in the percentage of face mask preferences in all countries (p=0.001). The majority of the participants were
found to have inappropriate practices regarding face mask usage, hygiene, and subsequent disposing (78.1%). In all countries, the
percentage of inappropriate practices was significantly higher than appropriate practices with a p-value=0.001.
Conclusion: Surgical mask was a commonly used face mask and among all countries, practices regarding the usage of face
masks, hygiene, and disposal of face masks were inappropriate. However, in both India and America, the second most preferred
mask was a reusable fabric mask instead of the N95 respirator. Furthermore, most participants from all the included countries
exhibited inappropriate practices when it came to facemask wearing, hand washing, and disposing of the mask.
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| ISSN: | 2707-3521 2708-9134 |