409. High Engagement in Social Distancing and Mask Wearing and Associations with Reduced COVID-19 Infection Among California College Students

Abstract

Abstract Background Engaging in preventive behaviors, including face mask wearing and social distancing, has been widely recommended, and in some cases mandated, to limit the spread of the COVID-19 disease. Despite wide-scale use, there is little data available on engagement of mask wearing and social distancing in college students and associated COVID-19 infection. Methods A school-wide online survey was conducted (2021) among university students (n=2,132) in California. Frequency of mask-wearing and social distancing (indoors or public settings) and diagnosis with COVID-19 infection were measured. Multiple logistic regression models assessed associations between i) mask-wearing and ii) social distancing and COVID-19 infection, controlling for race, age, gender, and living with people who have high-risk health conditions. Results Fourteen percent (14.06%) reported previous COVID-19 infection. Most students reported wearing masks in public settings (77.9%) and indoors (58%). About half (49.9%) reported social distancing in public settings and 44.9% indoors. In multiple logistic regression models, wearing a mask indoors was associated with 30% lower odds of COVID-19 infection (OR= 0.70; 95% CI: 0.54,0.91) but no statistically significant association was observed for wearing a mask outdoors (OR= 0.80; 95% CI: 0.59,1.08). Social distancing indoors and outdoors was associated with a 34% (OR= 0.66; 95% CI: 0.50,0.86) and 32% (OR= 0.68; 95% CI: 0.52,0.88) decrease in the odds of infection, respectively. COVID-19 infection declined as the number of preventive behaviors a student engaged in increased. Compared to those who engaged in no preventive behavior, the odds of infection were 0.71 (95% CI: 0.46,1.11) among students engaging in one behavior, 0.70 (95% CI: 0.46,1.07) in two behaviors, 0.42 (95% CI: 0.25,0.70) in three behaviors, and 0.48 (95% CI: 0.31,0.74) among those who engaged in all four behaviors. Conclusion Wearing face masks and social distancing were both associated with lower odds of COVID-19 infection. The more preventive behaviors students engaged in the less frequently they reported COVID-19 infection. Our findings support existing guidelines promoting mask wearing and social distancing to limit the spread of COVID-19 disease. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures