Face Mask Use Among Commercial Drivers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Accra, Ghana

Abstract

The paper contributes to unravelling the perceptions of urban commercial drivers regarding their vulnerability to catching the SARS-CoV-2 virus while at work. It further examines how the perception of vulnerability influences personal use of face masks by drivers, as well as on their insistence on appropriate masking behaviour by other persons on-board public transport. Overcrowding and unsanitary conditions in informal public transport in Africa could facilitate the spread of the corona virus. However, the use of face masks, among other enhanced mitigation measures significantly contain and minimize the spread of the virus. Primary data, obtained through surveys at five major public transport terminals in Accra, was analysed and interpreted using the Health Belief Model as an explanatory framework. Results indicate that most drivers have a high vulnerability perception to Covid-19. It further emerged that older drivers, in particular, consistently wore face masks and insisted on other persons in their commercial vehicles to follow suit. Socio-demographic factors, and the need to ensure one’s personal safety and those of loved ones were critical determinants of face mask use among surveyed drivers. The study thus recommends that public awareness campaigns should strategically focus attention on the younger generation of drivers (i.e. 18–39 years) who perceived themselves to be immune to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Also, the collaborative efforts of state and non-state actors, like the transport operator unions, must be further strengthened if the gains made so far against Covid-19 is to be sustained.

Analysis of the Face Mask Use by Public Transport Passengers and Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The similar motive “Maintaining both your and your family members’ health” in our study was chosen by only 53% of responders. The motive “impossible to enter public space” was noted by about the same percentage of respondents in that study as in ours (65% and 66.6%, respectively) [ 7 ]. The motive “Fear of getting fined”, which ranks third in our study (40% of respondents), is also considered by other authors as significant [ 7 , 8 ].…”

“…However, in Hanoi, Vietnam, there is a greater adherence of the population to this measure of nonpharmaceutical prevention: 100% of passengers wore face masks, and only 11% wore them incorrectly [ 6 ]. In Ghana, 92.4% of public transport drivers wore masks [ 7 ]. However, there was a low adherence of the passengers to the observance of the “face mask regime” on public transport.…”

“…Previous studies have identified populations that are more likely to wear face masks. These include people who consider themselves vulnerable to infection with the virus and those who feel responsible for both their health and the health of their loved ones, elderly men and women [ 7 , 8 ], middle-aged women [ 8 , 9 ], urban residents [ 9 ], and people who had cases of infection in the family [ 10 ]. Face masks are worn less frequently by those who perceive themselves to be immune to the SARS-CoV-2 virus—young people of both sexes [ 8 ] and men aged 18 to 39 years [ 7 , 8 , 11 ].…”

“…These include people who consider themselves vulnerable to infection with the virus and those who feel responsible for both their health and the health of their loved ones, elderly men and women [ 7 , 8 ], middle-aged women [ 8 , 9 ], urban residents [ 9 ], and people who had cases of infection in the family [ 10 ]. Face masks are worn less frequently by those who perceive themselves to be immune to the SARS-CoV-2 virus—young people of both sexes [ 8 ] and men aged 18 to 39 years [ 7 , 8 , 11 ]. People wear a face mask more often on public transport than at work or leisure [ 11 ] or in other public places [ 12 ], and more often in the subway than on above-ground public transport [ 8 ].…”

Determinants of public compliance in face mask wearing to prevent COVID-19 transmission in Indonesia

“…Another research result supported this study, finding that the higher the risk perception of COVID-19, the higher level of compliance with COVID-19 prevention behavior [31]- [33]. A study in Ghana also revealed that the more people fear getting COVID-19, their face mask behavior is also consistently high [34].…”