Face Mask Utilization in the Era of COVID-19: Nigeria Experience
Clement Kevin Edet
Department of Community Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. and Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Agiriye M. Harry
Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. and Department of Surgery, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Anthony Ike Wegbom *
Department of Community Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Olatunde Raimi
The Challenge Initiative (TCI), Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Adeniyi Francis Fagbamigbe
Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. and Division of Population and Behavioural Studies, School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom.
Victor Alangibi Kiri
Department of Mathematics, Physics & Electrical Engineering, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom. and Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: The use of face masks has been accepted and recommended globally as a tool for COVID-19 protection. The government of Nigeria made wearing of face masks compulsory in public places. However, no evidence has shown user compliance or knowledge. This study investigated the knowledge and utilization of face masks among the Nigerian population.
Methods: This was a web-based cross-sectional survey conducted from July 2 to August 28, 2020, using a convenience sampling technique. This was in adherence to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guideline of physical/social distancing. Data was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to present the results.
Results: A total of 811 respondents participated in the survey with the mean age of 36.93±12.17 years. Almost all the respondents 91.9% and 94% were aware that face masks can reduce the spread of COVID-19 and should be worn in the public respectively. 95.3% of the participants had used a face mask as a protection against COVID-19. Furthermore, 90.2% used face masks in the public, 53% used it when entering restricted places, 45.5% when with a suspected case and 30.7% used a mask due to fear of arrest/punishment. The majority of respondents used homemade masks (70%) and 71.2% reused their masks, but maintained poor cleaning culture.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated adequate knowledge and utilization of face masks among the population. The homemade mask was mostly used. However, there was a poor mask cleaning culture among the population. There should be intensive public awareness campaigns through social and mass media on how to clean reusable face masks.
Keywords: Face mask, knowledge, utilization, COVID-19, Rivers State, Nigeria.