Community mask wearing as a Covid-19 preventive measure, its barriers, and motivators among rural households of Uganda

A mixed methods approach

Bibliographic Data

ID19595090
AuthorsGrace Biyinzika Lubega (0000-0003-0657-7903, Makerere University, corresponding author), Hilbert Mendoza (0000-0001-7673-3751, University of Antwerp), Juvenal Nkeramahame (0000-0002-9089-2668, FIND), Filimin Niyongabo (0000-0002-5630-6936, Makerere University), Joviah Gonza (Makerere University), Betty Nakachwa (Makerere University), David Musoke (0000-0003-3262-3918, Makerere University)
EditorsAbram Luther Wagner (0000-0003-4691-7802)
Year2022
Volume2
Issue7
Pagese0000485
Publication date2022-07-13
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375
PublisherPublic Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1371/journal.pgph.0000485
PMID36962384
OpenAlexW4285393021
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited20

Adherence to mask wearing has the potential to reduce coronavirus disease 2019 acquisition risk. However, there is limited information about community mask wearing and its predictors among rural populations. This study aimed to assess the level of adherence to community mask wearing as a COVID-19 prevention measure, its barriers, and motivators among the Ugandan rural population of Wakiso District. This cross-sectional study utilised both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. The quantitative component employed a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire among 400 participants, to assess the level of adherence and associated predictors towards mask wearing. Modified Poisson regression with robust standard error estimates was used to obtain crude and adjusted prevalence ratios associated with mask wearing. Quantitative data analysis was performed using Stata 15.0 Statistical software. The qualitative component was used to further explore the barriers and motivators of community mask wearing whereseven focus group discussions among 56 community health workers were conducted. Data was analysed using a thematic approach with the help of Nvivo Version 12 software. The quantitative results showed that 70.8% (283/400) of the participants were adherent to mask wearing. Furthermore, reusable (cloth masks) were the most common form of face masks worn by the participants; 71.9% (282/400). Adequate knowledge about mask wearing as a COVID-19 prevention measure was positively associated with mask wearing (adjusted prevalence ratio (95% CI); 3.2 (1.19–8.56)). The qualitative results revealed; sensitization from health workers, provision of free masks, and fear of fines and arrests as motivators to mask wearing. Barriers to mask wearing included: inability to buy masks due to financial constraints, one-time provision of free masks, ill-fitting and worn-out masks, discomfort, and bribery. The practice of community mask wearing was sub-optimal among the study rural communities. Initiatives to scale up the practice need to be feasible for rural communities

Data collection · Environmental health · Family medicine · Focus group · Health belief model · Health promotion · Population · Public health · Qualitative property · Qualitative research · Thematic analysis · COVID-19 epidemiological studies · COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts · Infection Control and Ventilation · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology

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