Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Face Mask Use among University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the estimated daily use of face masks was at its highest, thereby creating huge public health and environmental challenges associated with the indiscriminate disposal of used ones. The present study assessed Abu Dhabi University students’ handling and disposal of single-use face masks during the pandemic. A cross-sectional study using an online survey questionnaire was used to gather data from 255 students from the target group. Face mask type was found to be significantly influenced by both the student’s gender and age, while the participant’s habit of hand washing after handling a used face mask was found to be significantly influenced by the student’s age. The student’s educational level significantly influenced group decisions regarding the most appropriate face mask to use, as well as environmental and health consequences awareness of indiscriminate face mask disposal. While the students are adequately aware of COVID-19’s impact and had good knowledge of face mask use, a high proportion professed to the unsafe disposal of used face masks in public areas, thereby adding to microplastic pollution in the environment and its associated impacts. The study alluded to the need for strengthening the participant’s knowledge, attitude, and practices as precautionary measures that mitigate the environmental effect of the indiscriminate disposal of used face masks. The findings also call for a collaborative partnership among stakeholders toward designing effective educational campaigns to minimize the environmental impacts posed by face mask disposal.

Examining factors influencing public knowledge and practice of proper face mask usage during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

“…Such precautions preserve the cleanliness of our environment and safeguard against other infections ( Kampf & Kramer, 2004 ; Wangchuk et al, 2023 ). As seen in our study, those aged 26 to 35 years showed excellent handhygiene practices when using facemasks, surpassing the other age groups could be owed to the reason that the younger generation have a better access to the informatin, awareness, education through the technical advancement and social and peer awareness and goes similar in findings with the study published among university students from Abudhabi ( Ajaj et al, 2023 ).…”

The Covid-19 Perceptions and Actions: A Study of the Graduate Students in Turbat, Kech

“…Maintaining a safe distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from others, particularly in the crowded areas, is the recommended action to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission. In comparison to other groups, highly educated and competent people were found to have the decent practices (Ajaj, Shahin, Moda & Ahmed, 2023). According to statistical findings, having a private work was negatively connected to having satisfactory knowledge, whereas having a large monthly salary was positively related to having the satisfactory knowledge.…”

“…Males made up 39.1% of the participants, while females made up the remaining 60.1 percent. In this connection, the medical students were found to have the sufficient knowledge, favourable attitudes, and appropriate practises with the critical covid-19 (Ajaj, Shahin, Moda & Ahmed, 2023). Medical students frequently considered that COVID-19's eruption had had a significant impact upon their social, mental, and psychological well-being.…”

“…Higher university year, young age, male sex and living in urban areas were significantly associated with good KAP regarding COVID-19. Ajaj, Shahin, Moda and Ahmed (2023) found that the students from Abu Dhabi University possessed good knowledge, attitude, and practices in precautionary measures and face mask usage. A resounding 93.6% of participants still wore face masks while exiting their homes, even in this relaxed COVID-19 situation.…”

A Descriptive Analytical Study to Assess the Knowledge and Practice of Proper Face Mask Wearing among Healthcare Professionals, Patients and Attendants in a Tertiary Care Center of North India

“…Similar observations were made in two previous studies where no practice of any form of hand hygiene before or after face mask wearing was noted among study participants. 15,16 However, it is vital to practice proper hand washing before and after wearing a face mask in daily life, so that transmission of harmful germs can be prevented from infecting yourself or other people. 17,18 In the present study, most (67.7%) participants were wearing face masks in public places to protect them against respiratory infections.…”