Factors affecting face mask-wearing behaviors to prevent COVID-19 among Thai people: A binary logistic regression model

Abstract

ObjectivesFace mask wearing is a standard preventive measure, in addition to handwashing and physical distancing. Individuals may find that wearing a face mask protects their physical health and prevents viral transmission. However, none of the studies in Thailand identified factors associated with face mask-wearing behaviors among Thai people. Therefore, this study aims to determine factors affecting face mask-wearing behaviors to prevent COVID-19.MethodsThis research is analytical survey research. The data used in this study were under the project title “The assessment of psychosocial and behavioral response and compliance to restriction measures to prevent and control COVID-19: A series of the rapid survey.” A total of 6,521 people participated in an online survey by multi-stage sampling. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the factors associated with face mask-wearing behaviors.ResultsAfter adjusting for independent variables (i.e., gender, age, education, career, smoking, and comorbidity disease), the bivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that gender, age, and career were statistically significant to the face mask-wearing behaviors (p < 0.05). Level of education, smoking, and comorbidity disease were not statistically significant with face mask-wearing behaviors among Thai people.ConclusionFurther study should explore broader on individual face mask perceptions and wearing in the continuing of COVID-19 across gender, age, and careers to better understand their health behaviors and to inform further policy. In addition, the development of an intervention to promote face mask wearing should target men who age below 30 yrs. and did not work in government services careers as this group of the population was likely not to wear a face mask outside the home.

Characteristics of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Hospitalized Children Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand

“…Since RSV infections are commonly identified in schools and daycare centers [ 6 , 17 ], children who attended daycare before the COVID-19 pandemic had a higher risk of upper or lower respiratory tract infections than children who stayed at home [ 18 , 19 ]. Thus, the strict public health measures for COVID-19 resulted in a decrease in the rate of respiratory infections in Thailand [ 11 ]. According to a previous study, social separation at work helped prevent the spread of respiratory infections [ 20 ].…”

“…Approximately 20% of patients have severe symptoms, including difficulty breathing, wheezing, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia [ 8 ]. However, the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affected the pattern of RSV infection [ 9 , 10 ] and decreased the incidence of RSV in many regions of Thailand from 2020 to 2021 [ 11 ]. The use of broadspectrum antibiotics during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea dropped by 14-30% due to a decrease in ARTI-related hospitalizations related to stringent public health interventions and social distancing measures [ 12 ].…”

“…A strategy with the acronym DMHTT (“distancing, mask wearing, hand washing, testing, and the Thai Chana application”) was implemented to manage the spread of COVID-19 [ 13 ]. This method resulted in a significant decrease in the risk of respiratory infections in Thailand [ 11 ]. Although some measures to prevent COVID-19 have continued, when the DMHTT restrictions were lifted, the incidence of RSV infections increased in children [ 14 ].…”

Dermatologists Should Encourage and Resume Photoprotection in Patients with Photodermatoses and Melasma Following the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…A previous study in Thailand revealed that 97.6% wore a face mask outside the home. 14 In Italy, a study found that most individuals (72.5%) wore face masks, 56.5% used surgical masks, and 53.0% used disposable masks. 15 Based on the photoprotection impact of masks and our patients’ behavior while wearing masks during the pandemic, this could be one of the explanations for melasma improvement.…”

What Sustains Mask-Wearing Behavior among Elders in a Rural Community in the Post-COVID-19 Era: An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Study

“…An online survey conducted in Thailand in 2021 revealed that only 43% of 1230 adults aged at least 60 years from nine provinces across the country’s five regions possessed adequate knowledge of the disease, and only 33% engaged in preventative behaviors [ 8 ]. Furthermore, a recent large survey in Thailand demonstrated that those over the age of 60 had a higher proportion of not wearing a face mask outside the home in comparison with those aged 20 to 49 years [ 9 ]; thus, more attention should be paid to older adults’ mask-wearing behaviors.…”