Evaluating the effect of infographics on public recall, sentiment and willingness to use face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic: a randomised internet-based questionnaire study

Abstract

Background The use of face masks remains contentious, with international variation in practice. Their prevalence in the UK, is likely to increase due to new legislation. Clear information regarding the appropriate use of masks is needed, to ensure compliance with policies to reduce transmission of COVID-19. We aimed to assess the impact of visual representations of guidance, or infographics, upon the knowledge of appropriate face mask usage in a representative UK cohort. Methods Adult patients were recruited to this randomised internet-based questionnaire study during the 12–14 May 2020 from across the UK. Respondents viewed one of five public health stimuli regarding the use of face masks, or no stimulus. The groups accessed aids by the European Centre for Disease Control (EUCDC), World Health Organisation (WHO), Singaporean Ministry of Health (SMOH), text from the UK government (UK Gov), or an infographic designed by the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT). The primary outcome was to evaluate the effect of each infographic upon participants’ recall of face mask technique, sentiments and willingness to wear a face covering. Secondary outcomes included the effect of symptomology and socio-demographic factors. Results 4099 respondents were randomised (1009 control, 628 EUCDC, 526 WHO, 639 SMOH, 661 UKGOV and 606 BIT). Stimuli from the WHO, SMOH and BIT demonstrated significantly higher average recall scores compared to the controls (7.40 v. 7.38 v. 7.34 v. 6.97, P < 0.001). BIT’s stimulus led to the highest confidence about mask-wearing (87%). Only 48.2% of the cohort felt stimuli reduced anxiety about COVID-19. However, willingness to use a mask was high, (range 84 to 88%). Conclusions To ensure the appropriate use of masks, as mandated by UK law, guidance must provide sufficient information, yet remain understandable. Infographics can aid the recall of correct mask techniques by highlighting salient steps and reducing cognitive burden. They have also demonstrated greater trustworthiness than text-only guidance. The effect of infographics upon COVID-19-related anxiety was poor, and they should be further developed to address this sentiment. A willingness to wear face masks has, however, been demonstrated.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of face mask utilization and associated factors in COVID-19 pandemic among Wachemo University Students, Southern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

“…The current study was in line with a study conducted in Hong Kong among community adults, in which the respondents indicated that they always wore face masks when caring for family members who had fevers or respiratory infections [ 25 ].…”

The Impact of Face Masks on the Emotional Reading Abilities of Children—A Lesson From a Joint School–University Project

“…The evident gap in knowledge of how face masks 1 affect emotional reading in children made a specific study necessary, especially as the wearing of face masks has become a political issue ( Wong, 2020 ) and the acceptance of masks is generally under risk ( Egan et al., 2021 ). The topic of wearing masks is particularly emotionally and politically charged when it comes to children.…”

Mask-wearing intentions on airplanes during COVID-19 – Application of theory of planned behavior model

“…Important factors that drive the mask-wearing decisions have been explored at a general level, including social norms, knowledge about COVID-19, and empathy ( Barceló and Sheen, 2020 ; Pfattheicher et al, 2020 ; Zhou et al, 2021 ). Mask-wearing during COVID-19 has also been found to be related to demographic characteristics such as age, gender, and education ( Barceló and Sheen, 2020 ; Egan et al, 2021 ; Haischer et al, 2020 ; Zhou et al, 2021 ). While these studies have shed light on mask-wearing behaviors, they are not related to air transportation, a particularly relevant industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

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