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

Abstract

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.

Motivations of Wearing Face Mask: A Cross-sectional Study

“…Regarding educational level, the present study shows that a considerable proportioof both genders had university degrees. This finding is consistent with previous research, which found that the majority of the study sample, 46% had a bachelor's degree [12]. In terms of the marital status of the study sample, the findings revealed that the highest percentage of the study sample was married.…”

“…After describing the contents of all parts of the questionnaire, the responses to the participants about motivational levels of wearing face mask items included two answers 0 = not motivated (no) and 1= motivated (yes). The calculation of the overall motivational levels of wearing face masks (15 items) was categorized into three groups highly motivated (1-5), moderately motivated (6-10), and low motivated (11)(12)(13)(14)(15). This study was submitted to the Ethical Committee at the College of Nursing, Hawler Medical University, in order to get an approval letter for conducting it.…”

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices [KAP] toward COVID-19: A cross-sectional study in the New York Metropolitan Area and California Bay Area

“…Furthermore, if research demonstrates knowledge distribution of equitable quality, other considerations of knowledge reception must be examined. For instance, non-white communities have a long history of mistrust towards medical and government institutions [ 28 , 29 ]. A causal analysis of mistrust towards these institutions would better identify factors associated with increased trust and acceptance of public health knowledge.…”

Challenges in Preventive Practices and Risk Communication towards COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study in Bangladesh

“…An exploratory study in Canada revealed that the participants perceived public health messages on COVID-19 as conflicting, with perceptions varying by age-group [18]. Another large survey with a diverse sample in USA found that different ethnic groups interpret and endorse COVID-19 risk communication messages differently [19]. However, such studies are limited in the low-income countries, including Bangladesh.…”