Beliefs on social distancing and face mask practices during the COVID-19 pandemic in low- and middle-income countries: a cross-sectional study.
Social distancing and wearing a face mask are highly recommended to mitigate the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the success of these strategies relies on individuals' adherence and public compliance. This study was conducted to assess the level of belief in social distancing and face mask practices in communities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and to identify their possible determinants.
A cross-sectional study was conducted in ten LMICs countries in Asia, Africa, and South America from February to May 2021. A questionnaire was used to assess the belief, practice, and their plausible determinants. Identification of the associated determinants was performed using a logistic regression model.
Our data revealed that only 62.6% and 66.9% of the participants had good beliefs in social distancing and good face mask practices, respectively. Residing in the Americas, having a healthcare-related job, knowing people in immediate social environment who are or have been infected and exposure to information of COVID-19 cases on social media or TV were factors significantly associated with good belief in social distancing. Residing country, gender, monthly household income, type of job and exposure to information of COVID-19 cases were significantly associated with face mask wearing practice.
The proportion of participants having good beliefs in social distancing and good face mask practices is relatively low (<75%). Hence, sustained health campaigns regarding social distancing benefits and face mask-wearing practices during COVID-19 are critical in LMICs.
A cross-sectional study was conducted in ten LMICs countries in Asia, Africa, and South America from February to May 2021. A questionnaire was used to assess the belief, practice, and their plausible determinants. Identification of the associated determinants was performed using a logistic regression model.
Our data revealed that only 62.6% and 66.9% of the participants had good beliefs in social distancing and good face mask practices, respectively. Residing in the Americas, having a healthcare-related job, knowing people in immediate social environment who are or have been infected and exposure to information of COVID-19 cases on social media or TV were factors significantly associated with good belief in social distancing. Residing country, gender, monthly household income, type of job and exposure to information of COVID-19 cases were significantly associated with face mask wearing practice.
The proportion of participants having good beliefs in social distancing and good face mask practices is relatively low (<75%). Hence, sustained health campaigns regarding social distancing benefits and face mask-wearing practices during COVID-19 are critical in LMICs.
Authors
Harapan Harapan, Yufika Yufika, Anwar Anwar, Ophinni Ophinni, Yamada Yamada, Sharun Sharun, Gachabayov Gachabayov, Fahriani Fahriani, Husnah Husnah, Raad Raad, Khiri Khiri, Abdalla Abdalla, Kacem Kacem, Teyeb Teyeb, Aloui Aloui, Ferjani Ferjani, Deeb Deeb, Emad Emad, Abbas Abbas, Panchawagh Panchawagh, Anandu Anandu, Haque Haque, Ferreto Ferreto, Briones Briones, Morales Morales, Lazcano-Díaz Lazcano-Díaz, Durosinmi Durosinmi, Adejumo Adejumo, Babadi Babadi, Kakemam Kakemam, Ullah Ullah, Malik Malik, Rosiello Rosiello, Emran Emran, Nainu Nainu, Wendt Wendt, Arab-Zozani Arab-Zozani, Wagner Wagner, Mudatsir Mudatsir
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