Knowledge and practice of masks during COVID-19 among non-teaching staff in a tertiary health care Centre, India

Abstract

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has infected millions worldwide. Preventive interventions are beneficial to mitigate transmission, containment of the disease, and stop the resurgence of another wave of the pandemic. A cross-sectional study was done among non-teaching staff, aged 18 years or above willing to voluntarily participate to assess knowledge and practice of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary health care center. we also addressed the need for the use of face masks even after the vaccination is done. Subjects demonstrated good knowledge about transmission and practice of preventive measures for COVID-19. Among those, who were always (100%) using masks, marital status, education, and occupation had a significant association with the frequency of use of masks. While those, who were mostly (>50%) using masks, marital status, and education were significant determinants of the frequency of use of masks. The study highlighted the importance of knowledge and appropriate practice of the use of masks, which can help policymakers to predict success & make necessary modifications based on it, to stop transmission and fluctuation in the declining phase of covid-19 pandemic.