Motivations and Barriers for the Use of Face Coverings during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Messaging Insights from Focus Groups

Shelus, Victoria; Frank, Simone C; Lazard, Allison J.; Higgins, Isabella C. A.; Pulido, Marlyn; Richter, Ana Paula C.; Vandegrift, Sara M; Vereen, Rhyan N; Ribisl, Kurt M.; Hall, Marissa G.

doi:10.3390/ijerph17249298

Cited by 60 publications

(82 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…A study done with healthcare workers demonstrated a positive attitude but there was a moderate-to-poor level of knowledge and practice regarding the use of face masks. Therefore, it has been recommended that healthcare worker and general public awareness campaigns be conducted concerning the appropriate use of face masks by using the available social media resources which would be especially helpful during the pandemic [ 18 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Assessment of the community’s compliance in wearing face masks requires information about their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions, and then, identification and assessment of the barriers preventing compliance. Physical and social discomfort, confusion or misinformation, low perceived susceptibility to COVID-19, and perceptions of identity and autonomy were reported as the main barriers in using face masks [ 18 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Community practice of using face masks for the prevention of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia

Naam¹,

Elsafi²,

Alkharraz³

et al. 2021

PLoS ONE

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Community face masking is possibly of great value in reducing COVID-19 transmission, especially when universally adopted with high compliance. The aim of this study is to investigate the knowledge, common misconceptions, barriers, and the compliance of the community with the use of face masks for the prevention of COVID-19. A validated questionnaire was administered to the participants through a web link by using various social media. The collected data were statistically analyzed for significant differences according to demographic variables. The average knowledge of face masks and their role in preventing COVID-19 transmission was 95.64%, with no differences among most of the demographical factors. Older groups and females demonstrated a better attitude towards wearing face masks than other groups did (p<0.001). Another significant difference in the participant’s attitude was noticed between the various educational levels, employment, and nationality (p<0.001). Of the total respondents, 88.2% encouraged wearing face masks. Misconceptions about wearing face masks were very low. The frequency of wearing face masks at public places, workplaces, or social gatherings was 87.2%, 80.5%, and 47.5% respectively. There was a significant variation in the compliance with wearing face masks between the various groups based on age, gender, nationality, and employment status (p<0.001). The inconvenience in wearing face masks was reported by 36.3%. Face irritation and ear pain were reported by 70.2% and 43.5%, respectively. The inconvenience of wearing face masks with eyeglasses was reported by 44.3% of those wearing eyeglasses. In general, the study demonstrated a good attitude among participants towards wearing face masks. Although the respondents in the study were aware of the benefits of wearing face masks, the barriers may have decreased their desire to do so. These barriers include difficulty in breathing, discomfort, face irritation, and ear pain.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community practice of using face masks for the prevention of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia

Naam¹,

Elsafi²,

Alkharraz³

et al. 2021

PLoS ONE

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“…Statements were rooted in Health Belief Model constructs of perceived benefit, susceptibility, severity, barriers, and self-efficacy [ 14 , 19 ]. Participants were asked “How much do these reasons make you want to wear a face covering?” followed by a randomized list of 18 statements informed by qualitative work (see Table 2 for a complete list of the statements) [ 20 ]. Example statements included “Wearing a face covering could prevent me from getting COVID-19” and “I want to protect people who are vulnerable”.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Motivations, barriers, and communication recommendations for promoting face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic: Survey findings from a diverse sample

et al. 2021

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State and local health departments have been tasked with promoting the use of face coverings to decrease the spread of COVID-19 in their respective communities. However, little is known about motivations and barriers to wearing face coverings in the context of COVID-19 prevention, particularly among communities of color who are at an increased risk of serious illness from the disease. The purpose of this study was to identify common motivations and barriers to face covering use, as well as explore perceptions of messages encouraging the use of face coverings among a racially and ethnically diverse sample. A survey was distributed electronically to North Carolina (NC) residents through NC Department of Health and Human Services listservs in July 2020. Participants self-categorized as Latino/a (33.5%), Black (39.1%), or white or another race (27.5%). The most commonly endorsed motivations for wearing face coverings were to avoid spreading COVID-19 (77%), as well as to protect people who are vulnerable (76%) and one’s community (72%). Being uncomfortable (40%) was the most commonly endorsed barrier. Messages that included a clear request (ex. please wear a face covering) and a direct benefit (ex. keep community safe) were more commonly endorsed than those that did not. Commonly endorsed motivations, behaviors, and messages differed by race and ethnicity. Increased attention to message content, message structure, and access to information and resources may aid local officials in increasing consistent use of face coverings.

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“…Prior studies in the US have reported that male, younger age, race/ethnicity (i.e., being white compared to being black or Hispanic), political party (i.e., being a Republican), and living in rural areas were risk factors for not wearing a face mask [ 6 , 8 , 9 ]. A qualitative research in the US also found that barriers included discomfort associated with the use, misinformation, perceived low susceptibility, and perceptions of autonomy [ 10 ]. Interestingly, this study [ 10 ] and another one that was also conducted in the US [ 11 ] found that perceptions and the influence of people around them were one of the major determinants related to mask use.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A qualitative research in the US also found that barriers included discomfort associated with the use, misinformation, perceived low susceptibility, and perceptions of autonomy [ 10 ]. Interestingly, this study [ 10 ] and another one that was also conducted in the US [ 11 ] found that perceptions and the influence of people around them were one of the major determinants related to mask use. For example, the qualitative study reported that the major motivation for the use of face covering was protect or respect for other people [ 10 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between Social Integration and Face Mask Use Behavior during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Japan: Results from U-CORONA Study

Nawa

Yamaoka

Koyama

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Face mask use is a critical behavior to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. We aimed to evaluate the association between social integration and face mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic in a random sample of households in Utsunomiya City, Greater Tokyo, Japan. Data included 645 adults in the Utsunomiya COVID-19 seROprevalence Neighborhood Association (U-CORONA) study, which was conducted after the first wave of the pandemic, between 14 June 2020 and 5 July 2020, in Utsunomiya City. Social integration before the pandemic was assessed by counting the number of social roles, based on the Cohen’s social network index. Face mask use before and during the pandemic was assessed by questionnaire, and participants were categorized into consistent mask users, new users, and current non-users. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between lower social integration score and face mask use. To account for possible differential non-response bias, non-response weights were used. Of the 645 participants, 172 (26.7%) were consistent mask users and 460 (71.3%) were new users, while 13 (2.0%) were current non-users. Lower social integration level was positively associated with non-users (RRR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.10, 2.82). Social integration may be important to promote face mask use.

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Motivations and Barriers for the Use of Face Coverings during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Messaging Insights from Focus Groups

Cited by 60 publications

References 26 publications

Community practice of using face masks for the prevention of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia

Community practice of using face masks for the prevention of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia

Motivations, barriers, and communication recommendations for promoting face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic: Survey findings from a diverse sample

Association between Social Integration and Face Mask Use Behavior during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Japan: Results from U-CORONA Study

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