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Research article
Use of masks in public places in Poland during SARS-Cov-2 epidemic:
a covert observational study
Maria Ganczak
Uniwersytet Zielonogorski
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6424-128X
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background: Face masks have been employed in the COVID-19 pandemic plans as a public and personal health control measure against the spread of SARS-CoV-2. In Poland, obligatory wearing of masks in public spaces was introduced on April 10th, 2020; a relaxation of previous universal measures was announced on May 29th, 2020, limiting use to indoor public places.
Objective: to assess use of masks or other protective devices in public spaces in Poland during the SARS-Cov-2 epidemic.
Methods: A non-participatory covert observational study was conducted on three dates, (10.05/18.05/ 25.05.2020) at public spaces in 13 regions with different risks. Ten consecutive individuals were observed by each of 82 medical students (n=2460 observations), using a structured checklist.
Results: Among 2353 observed persons, the female/male ratios were 1.0, 1.1, and 1.0 on the three dates. Almost three quarters - 73.6% (n=552/750) were using masks on date 1, 66.5% (544/818) on date 2; and 65.7% (516/785) on date 3. Cloth masks predominated on all dates (64.7%-62.3%-62.6%), followed by medical (23.4%-28.5%-26.9%). Being female (OR=1.77-1.47-1.53 respectively) and location in a closed space (OR=2.60-2.59-2.32) were each associated with higher usage. Participants in sports were about two times less likely to use masks (OR=0.64-0.53-0.53) as compared to other activities. The proportion using masks correctly decreased gradually over time (364/552; 65.9%; 339/544; 62.3% and 304/516; 58.9%). More females wore masks correctly (date 1: 205/294; 69.7% vs 159/258; 61.6%, and date 3: 186/284; 65.5% vs 118/232; 50.9%; p=0.045; p=0.0008 respectively). Uncovered noses (47.3%-52.7%) and masks around the neck (39.2%-42.6%) were the most frequent incorrect practices.
Conclusions: Practices were not in line with official recommendations, especially among males, and deteriorated over time. Cloth masks were predominantly used in public spaces. Health promotion, through utilizing all available communication channels, would be helpful to increase compliance.
Keywords
SARS-Cov-2, face mask, general population, determinants
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On 05 Dec, 2020
Editor assigned
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Editor invited
On 03 Dec, 2020
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Editorial decision: Major revision
On 03 Nov, 2020
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Received 01 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 23 Oct, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 21 Oct, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 21 Oct, 2020
Reviewers invited
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Editor assigned
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This preprint is under consideration at BMC Public Health. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research article
Use of masks in public places in Poland during SARS-Cov-2 epidemic:
a covert observational study
Maria Ganczak
Uniwersytet Zielonogorski
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6424-128X
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 3
Posted 30 Dec, 2020
No community comments so far
Editor assigned
On 12 Dec, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 12 Dec, 2020
Editor invited
On 12 Dec, 2020
No comments provided
Review #1 received
Received 06 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 05 Dec, 2020
Editor assigned
On 03 Dec, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 03 Dec, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 03 Dec, 2020
Editor invited
On 03 Dec, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 03 Nov, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 01 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 23 Oct, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 21 Oct, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 21 Oct, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 31 Aug, 2020
Editor assigned
On 30 Jul, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 29 Jul, 2020
Editor invited
On 29 Jul, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background: Face masks have been employed in the COVID-19 pandemic plans as a public and personal health control measure against the spread of SARS-CoV-2. In Poland, obligatory wearing of masks in public spaces was introduced on April 10th, 2020; a relaxation of previous universal measures was announced on May 29th, 2020, limiting use to indoor public places.
Objective: to assess use of masks or other protective devices in public spaces in Poland during the SARS-Cov-2 epidemic.
Methods: A non-participatory covert observational study was conducted on three dates, (10.05/18.05/ 25.05.2020) at public spaces in 13 regions with different risks. Ten consecutive individuals were observed by each of 82 medical students (n=2460 observations), using a structured checklist.
Results: Among 2353 observed persons, the female/male ratios were 1.0, 1.1, and 1.0 on the three dates. Almost three quarters - 73.6% (n=552/750) were using masks on date 1, 66.5% (544/818) on date 2; and 65.7% (516/785) on date 3. Cloth masks predominated on all dates (64.7%-62.3%-62.6%), followed by medical (23.4%-28.5%-26.9%). Being female (OR=1.77-1.47-1.53 respectively) and location in a closed space (OR=2.60-2.59-2.32) were each associated with higher usage. Participants in sports were about two times less likely to use masks (OR=0.64-0.53-0.53) as compared to other activities. The proportion using masks correctly decreased gradually over time (364/552; 65.9%; 339/544; 62.3% and 304/516; 58.9%). More females wore masks correctly (date 1: 205/294; 69.7% vs 159/258; 61.6%, and date 3: 186/284; 65.5% vs 118/232; 50.9%; p=0.045; p=0.0008 respectively). Uncovered noses (47.3%-52.7%) and masks around the neck (39.2%-42.6%) were the most frequent incorrect practices.
Conclusions: Practices were not in line with official recommendations, especially among males, and deteriorated over time. Cloth masks were predominantly used in public spaces. Health promotion, through utilizing all available communication channels, would be helpful to increase compliance.
Figure 1
Figure 2