Adherence to face mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic among women seeking antenatal care in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo: a facility-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectivesTo describe face mask use among pregnant women seeking antenatal care (ANC) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo and to identify factors associated with masking adherence in this population.DesignFacility-based cross-sectional study nested within a prospective cohort study.SettingRandom sample of 10 health facilities, including 5 primary health centers and 5 secondary facilities or hospitals.ParticipantsA total of 934 pregnant women aged 18 years or above with a gestational age of at least 32 weeks were consecutively surveyed from 17 August 2020 to 31 January 2021.Primary and secondary outcome measuresWe estimated the proportions of pregnant women wearing a face mask and masking correctly (ie, over the mouth and nose), and assessed their knowledge regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify factors associated with overall and correct face mask use.ResultsOverall, 309 (33.1%) women wore a mask during the interview after their antenatal appointments, but only 33 (10.7%) wore a mask correctly. The odds of masking and correct mask use were significantly higher among women who had their ANC visit in a facility that provided COVID-19 care. Additionally, women who experienced COVID-19-like symptoms in the past 6 months had higher odds of wearing a mask correctly compared with those reporting no recent symptoms. Although 908 (97.2%) women were aware of the COVID-19 pandemic, only 611 (67.3%) thought that COVID-19 was circulating locally in Kinshasa.ConclusionOverall and correct face mask adherence levels were low among pregnant women attending ANC in Kinshasa. Our study highlights the need for improving adherence to correct face mask use in order to help control the spread of COVID-19 within Kinshasa alongside other control measures, like vaccination.

Capability and feasibility of the Global Alignment of Immunisation Safety Assessment in pregnancy criteria for the assessment of pregnancy and birth outcomes in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a prospective cohort study

“…We conducted a facility-based prospective cohort study using convenience sampling, representing the last phase of a larger PV study in Kinshasa, DRC that included both retrospective and prospective arms. [14][15][16] In this prospective study arm, participants were actively recruited from 17 August 2020 through 31 January 2021. We recruited potential eligible participants (aged 18 years or older) at two time points: 1.…”

“…The overall study site selection procedures have been described elsewhere. [14][15][16] Briefly, we obtained a complete list of all health facilities in Kinshasa, DRC from an administrative unit of the DRC Ministry of Health called the Division Provinciale de la Santé de Kinshasa. From this list, 10 health facilities that (1) were designated as delivery centres, (2) recorded at least 1000 annual deliveries in 2018 and (3) archived their birth records on site were randomly selected: Bomoi, Bondeko, Lisanga, Siloe Bdom and Bosembo Health Centers; Esengo, Mokali, Saint Joseph and Kinshasa General Hospitals; and Ngaliema Clinic.…”