Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Towards Face-Mask Use Amid the Coronavirus 2019 Pandemic Among Public Transport Drivers in Gondar Town, A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a highly communicable virus that continues to interrupt livelihoods, predominantly those of low-income segments of society. For the prevention of respiratory infections like the current COVID-19 outbreak, face masks are considered an effective approach. Objective. This study intended to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of public transport drivers towards face mask use amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Gondar, Ethiopia. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 412 public transport drivers in Gondar town from July to September 2021. The study subjects were recruited using a simple random sampling technique after proportionally allocating the sample size from the total number of public transport drivers, and finally, study subjects were selected using the convenience sampling method to select the participant drivers working in Gondar Town. The data were collected by face-to-face interview administered questioners and an on-the-spot observational checklist. Results. A total of 412 public transport drivers have participated in the study. The mean age of the respondents was 32.75 years (±8.75 years). The majority of the participants were Bajaj drivers 193 (46.84%). Among the responders, 114 (27.67%) of them use radio to gather information about the pandemic and 50 (12.14%) of them had reported being caught by COVID-19. Meanwhile, only 32 (7.77%) were vaccinated against COVID-19. Drivers that had a diploma level of education were found to be 87.7% less knowledgeable than degree holders (AOR .123, 95% CI = .026, .573). Respondents that had good knowledge about COVID-19 and face masks were found to have 1.7 times more positive attitudes than those that had poor knowledge (AOR = 1.728, 95% CI = 1.150, 2.596). drivers whose family members have ever been caught by COVID-19 were found 2 times more likely to use face masks whenever they are working/driving (AOR = 2.173, 95% CI = 1.015, 4.652) than their counterparts. Conclusion. This study revealed a very low Knowledge, attitude, and practice of face mask use among public transport drivers in Gondar town. Periodic reinforcement and training programs are needed for all public transport drivers in each level for proper understanding and adherence to COVID-19 prevention protocols and the use of face masks.

Understanding Level of PKK Banjar Purwa Santhi Benoa on Medical Mask Waste Management and Strengthening Health Protocols in Controlling Covid-19 Infection

“…COVID-19 has become a threat to the health sector, the environment, and the economy. The risk of COVID-19 transmission increases when people ignore health protocols (Yimenu et al, 2022). In addition, the use of large-scale medical masks also harms the environment.…”

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

“…According to the observation results, the “face mask regime” was observed in only 12.6% of city buses (less than three people were without face masks); in 21.3% of buses, the mask regime was ignored (less than three people wore face masks) [ 29 ]. Only 14.32% of surveyed public transport drivers in Gondar, Ethiopia reported that they always wear a mask correctly at work while driving [ 10 ].…”

“…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 ]. In studies, other motives for face mask wearing were found: the presence of chronic respiratory diseases [ 12 ], knowledge about the ways that the virus spreads and the consequences of infection, as well as knowledge about the effectiveness of respiratory protective equipment [ 7 , 10 , 15 , 45 ], examples of other society members [ 7 , 8 ], and reminders from employers and relatives to wear face masks [ 7 ].…”

“…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 ].…”

“…The probable reason for why the population unequally adheres to preventive recommendations is an insufficient understanding and use of informational and social impact [ 13 ]. The possible reasons for the refusal of face masks may be (1) a low awareness of the population regarding the effectiveness of using a face mask as an individual to reduce the risk of the infection spreading [ 14 , 15 , 16 ]; (2) a low understanding of the individual about their role in the spread of an infectious disease [ 10 ]; (3) a low level of social responsibility [ 17 ] because a large number of people consider the mask as a means of their personal protection only [ 18 ]. The refusal of wearing face masks and gloves can often be associated with discomfort [ 16 , 19 , 20 ] and adverse reactions to wearing them, including shortness of breath, claustrophobia [ 21 ], a decrease in cardiopulmonary exercise capacity [ 22 ], and skin reactions [ 23 , 24 ].…”