Factors associated with the use and reuse of face masks among Brazilian individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective to identify the factors associated with the use and reuse of masks among Brazilian individuals in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method cross-sectional study conducted in the five Brazilian regions, among adult individuals, via an electronic form disseminated in social media, addressing general information and the use of masks. Bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression were used to identify the factors associated with the use and reuse of masks. Results 3,981 (100%) individuals participated in the study. In total, 95.5% (CI 95%: 94.8-96.1) reported using masks. Fabric masks were more frequently reported (72.7%; CI 95%: 71.3-74.1), followed by surgical masks (27.8%; CI 95%: 26.5-29.2). The percentage of reuse was 71.1% (CI 95%: 69.7-72.5). Most (55.8%; CI 95%: 51.7-60.0) of those exclusively wearing surgical masks reported its reuse. Being a woman and having had contact with individuals presenting respiratory symptoms increased the likelihood of wearing masks (p≤0.001). Additionally, being a woman decreased the likelihood of reusing surgical masks (p≤0.001). Conclusion virtually all the participants reported the use of masks, most frequently fabric masks. The findings draw attention to a risky practice, that of reusing surgical and paper masks. Therefore, guidelines, public policies, and educational strategies are needed to promote the correct use of masks to control and prevent COVID-19.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with the Reuse of Mask during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Nationwide Survey in Taiwan

“…A cross-sectional study enrolling 3981 non-healthcare workers in Brazil found that 71.1% of individuals reused masks during the COVID-19 pandemic and that women were less likely to reuse masks than men [24]. Another cross-sectional descriptive study involving 1000 adults in Hong Kong found that 35.4% of the subjects reused face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, and individuals with inadequate face masks were more likely to reuse masks [25].…”

Adaptações Nos Centros De Hemodiálise Para Prevenção Da Infecção Pelo Novo Coronavírus

“…Outra medida adotada nos centros de hemodiálise consiste no uso obrigatório de máscara pelos pacientes desde a saída de casa (18)(19) , bem como pelos profissionais e acompanhantes, quando presentes (10,19,20,22,23,27,29) . As máscaras são barreiras mecânicas para a prevenção da dispersão de gotículas, om a finalidade de autoproteção contra as doenças, e também para prevenir a transmissão de patógenos entre os indivíduos doentes e os saudáveis, as máscaras têm sido utilizadas como uma intervenção popular de saúde pública (32) .…”

Reuse of face masks among adults in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…In Brazil, 55.8% of adult face mask users reuse face masks, among which 27.2% reuse a face mask for one to two times [ 16 ]. In Hong Kong, 54% of adult face mask users reuse face masks, among which 83.3% reuse a single face mask for one to two times [ 15 ].…”

“…As much as 77.7% of the adults in Brazil use fabric/cotton homemade masks exclusively or in combination with other types of mask, such as surgical masks, N95 masks, and paper or gauze masks. Only 27.8% of the adults use face masks exclusively [ 16 ]. In Hong Kong, however, homemade masks are not recommended.…”

“…Tentatively, a study in older adults revealed that a higher perceived efficacy of practicing preventive measures is associated with the use of face masks, poorer cues to preventive measures are associated with the reuse of face masks, and a stronger belief in disease severity is associated with the use and reuse of face masks [ 17 ]. Other than health beliefs, gender and health experience are found to be associated with the reuse of face masks [ 16 ].…”