Face-masking, an acceptable protective measure against COVID-19 - Findings of Ugandan high-risk groups

Abstract

Face-masking could reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. We assessed: knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and practices towards COVID-19 and face-mask use among 644 high risk-individuals in Kampala, Uganda. In data analysis, descriptive, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, with a 95% confidence interval were considered. Adjusted-odds ratios were used to determine the magnitude of associations. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically-significant. Majority: 99.7% and 87.3% of the participants respectively had heard and believed that face-masks were protective against COVID-19, while 67.9% reported having received information on face-mask use. Males, food market vendors, those with no formal education, and those aged 24-33, 44-53 and 54-63 years were 0.58, 0.47, 0.25, 1.9, 2.12, and 3.39 times less likely to have received information about face-mask use respectively. Majority, 67.8% owned locally-made, non-medical face-masks, while 77.0% of face-mask owners believed that they knew the right procedure of wearing them. Those who had received information on face-mask use were 2.85 and 1.83 times more likely to own face-masks and to perceive them as protective. Food market vendors were 3.92 times more likely to re-use their face-masks. Our findings suggest that Ugandan high-risk groups have good knowledge, optimistic attitudes and perceptions, and relatively appropriate practices towards COVID-19.

The Decision to Wear a Face Mask as a Protective Behavioral Measure Against COVID-19: Survey Results From Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, Uganda

“…Results suggest that nearly all respondents believe that face masks are effective at preventing COVID-19. These results tend to some extent agree with a recent study in Uganda that shows that a sizeable proportion (68%) of respondents in their study had received information about the use of face masks (29). Our study however, shows a higher percentage of respondents who believe that face masks are effective at preventing COVID-19.…”

“…However, these findings also reveal that wearing face masks in public places is not universal ( 25 , 26 ). This is also similar to previous studies that have indicated that a sizeable proportion of the people in low and middle income countries like Nigeria ( 26 ), Ethiopia ( 28 ), Sudan ( 27 ), and Uganda ( 29 ) do not actually always wear masks while leaving home to go to public places.…”

“…In Ethiopia, half of 331 respondents reported not to have worn a face mask before leaving home when they were going to a crowded place (28). A recent study in Uganda revealed that having knowledge about the use of face masks is not universal-with only 68% having received information about the use of face masks (29). Reasons for non-use of face masks include cost (25), poor education about face mask use (30)(31)(32), the perception that people cannot be infected with COVID-19 (33) or thinking that the spread of COVID-19 is through other means such as mosquito bites (34) or meat consumption (35), and stigma attached to those who wear masks (36).…”

Veidą Dengiančių Kaukių Veiksmingumas Covid-19 Pandemijos Valdymui Ir Lietuvos Gyventojų Požiūris Į Kaukių Dėvėjimą

“…Ugandoje vyresni nei 64 metų žmonės (89 proc.) buvo mažiau linkę vertinti kaukes teigiamai [19]. Panaši situacija stebima ir Lietuvoje, kur didžioji dalis (55,3%, n=517; p<0,001 ) vyresnių nei 50 metų žmonių teigė, kad kaukės nėra veiksmingos.…”

How efficient are facial masks against COVID-19? Evaluating the mask use of various communities one year into the pandemic

“…A total of 12 studies including meta-analysis, case control, cross sectional, cohort, retrospective, retrospective cross sectional, research, randomized controlled and controlled comparison studies conducted in China, United Kingdom, USA, Thailand, Uganda, Ethiopia, South Korea, Canada, and Iran were reviewed on the protective effect of masks on COVID-19 [39][40][41][42][43][44][45]. All patients had laboratory evidence of SARS-CoV-2.…”