Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Knowledge and performance of the Iranian general population in the use of masks during the 2019 coronavirus

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Seyedeh Tahereh Mirmolaei
. Mehrnaz Geranmayeh 1
. Hamid Salehiniya 2
. Azam Mohammadi 3
. Marzieh Ebrahimi 4

1 Department of Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran

3 Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Nursing and Midwifery School, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ph.D. student in Reproductive Health, Department of reproductive Health and Midwifery, Nursing and Midwifery Faculty, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

4 Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Nursing and Midwifery School, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Department of midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The use of personal protective equipment (especially face masks) has increased in
different communities amid the COVID‑19 pandemic. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess
knowledge and performance of Iranian general population in wearing face masks.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study is a cross‑sectional study conducted using a valid
and reliable questionnaire on 1843 eligible individuals. The questionnaires were shared by Link (www.
porsall.com) in groups and social networks. Data were analyzed using SPSS (Version 24.0, SPSS
Inc., Chicago, IL).
RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 42.84 years (standard deviation: 16.84). The
majority had inadequate and low knowledge of masks (69.2%), nearly 30% had moderate (30.1%),
and few had adequate and high knowledge of masks. The individuals’ knowledge on when to wear
a mask was also assessed and the results showed poor and low in 42.2%, 46.9% moderate and
high performance in 10.7%. The participants’ performance on how to properly wear a mask was also
assessed and 12% showed poor, 69.3% showed moderate, and 18.7% showed high performance.
Safe removal of masks was also assessed, and the results showed 52% low and poor, 27.6%
moderate, and 20.3% high performance. A significant and direct correlation was found between the
overall score knowledge and performance regarding use of masks (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: The results showed poor to moderate knowledge and performance of majority of
Iranian general population regarding the masks. Therefore, further effective training courses and
action plans are needed in Iran given the importance of masks for the prevention of COVID‑19,
especially in public places. Educational package about how to use the mask and its benefits, through
the media and health centers is recommended.

Keywords

COVID‑19
knowledge
masks
pandemics
practice
1. Lipsitch M, Swerdlow DL, Finelli L. Defining the epidemiology
of COVID‑19 – Studies needed. N Engl J Med 2020;382:1194‑6.
2. World Health Organization. Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID‑19):
Situation Report, 72. World Health Organization; 2020. https://
apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/331686.
3. Jiang F, Deng L, Zhang L, Cai Y, Cheung CW, Xia Z. Review of the
clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19).
J Gen Intern Med 2020;35:1545‑9.
4. Leung CC, Lam TH, Cheng KK. Mass masking in the COVID‑19
epidemic: People need guidance. Lancet 2020;395:945.
5. Feng S, Shen C, Xia N, Song W, Fan M, Cowling BJ. Rational use
of face masks in the COVID‑19 pandemic. Lancet Respir Med
2020;8:434‑6.
6. Barratt R, Shaban RZ, Gilbert GL. Clinician perceptions of
respiratory infection risk; a rationale for research into mask use
in routine practice. Infect Dis Health 2019;24:169‑76.
7. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/questionsand-answers/item/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-masks. [last
accessed on 2020 dec 20].
8. Surgical Masks, Respirators, Face Shields: Which Masks Actually
Protect Against Coronavirus? 2020. https://emag.medicalexpo.
com/which-masks-actually-protect-against-coronavirus/. [last
accessed on 2020 dec 20].
9. N95 Respirators, Surgical Masks, and Face Masks; 2020. https://
www.fda.gov/medical-devices/personal-protective-equipmentinfection-control/n95-respirators-surgical-masks-face-masksand-barrier-face-coverings.
10. Planning P. Recommended Guidance for Extended use and
Limited Reuse of N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators in
Healthcare Settings. US Government; 2020. www.jems.com/
operations/equipment-gear/recommended-guidance-forextended-use-and-limited-reuse-of-n95-filtering-facepiecerespirators-in-healthcare-settings/. [last accessed on 2020 May
18].
11. Eikenberry SE, Mancuso M, Iboi E, Phan T, Eikenberry K,
Kuang Y, et al. To mask or not to mask: Modeling the potential
for face mask use by the general public to curtail the COVID‑19
pandemic. Infect Dis Model 2020;5:293‑308.
12. Emami Y. The Knowledge and Attitude of Male Students at
Allameh Amini Teacher Training Center on AIDS and its Impact
on Education. Tabriz: Tabriz University of Medical Science; 2005.
13. Doshmangir L, Mahbub Ahari A, Qolipour K, Azami‑Aghdash S,
Kalankesh L, Doshmangir P, et al. East Asia’s strategies for
effective response to COVID‑19: Lessons learned for Iran. Manage
Strateg Health Syst 2020;4:370‑3.
14. Zarocostas J. How to fight an infodemic. Lancet 2020;395:676.
15. Cheung JC, Ho LT, Cheng JV, Cham EY, Lam KN. Staff safety
during emergency airway management for COVID‑19 in Hong
Kong. Lancet Respir Med 2020;8:e19.
16. Yang Y, Shang W, Rao X. Facing the COVID-19 outbreak: What
should we know and what could we do? J Med Virol 2020;92:536‑7.
17. Basseal JM, Westerway SC, McAuley T. COVID-19: Infection
prevention and control guidance for all ultrasound practitioners.
Aust J Ultrasound Med 2020;23:90‑5.
18. Leung NH, Chu DK, Shiu EY, Chan KH, McDevitt JJ, Hau BJ, et al.
Respiratory virus shedding in exhaled breath and efficacy of face
masks. Nat Med 2020;26:676‑80.
19. Geldsetzer P. Using rapid online surveys to assess perceptions
during infectious disease outbreaks: A cross‑sectional
survey on COVID‑19 among the general public in the United
States and United Kingdom. medRxiv 2020;22:e18790. [doi:
2020.03.13.20035568].
20. John A, Tomas ME, Cadnum JL, Mana TS, Jencson A, Shaikh A,
et al. Are health care personnel trained in correct use of personal
protective equipment? Am J Infect Control 2016;44:840‑2.
21. Russell CD, Young I, Leung V, Morris K. Healthcare workers’
decision‑making about transmission‑based infection control
precautions is improved by a guidance summary card. J Hosp
Infect 2015;90:235‑9.
22. Dilucca M, Souli D. Knowledge, attitude and practice of secondary
school students toward COVID‑19 epidemic in Italy: A cross
selectional study. bioRxiv 2020;9:1-11.
23. Brug J, Aro AR, Richardus JH. Risk perceptions and behaviour:
Towards pandemic control of emerging infectious diseases:
International research on risk perception in the control of
emerging infectious diseases. Int J Behav Med 2009;16:3‑6.
24. Samadipour E, Ghardashi F. Factors influencing Iranians’ risk
perception of COVID‑19. J Mil Med 2020;22:122‑9.
25. Al‑Hanawi MK, Angawi K, Alshareef N, Qattan AM, Helmy HZ,
Abudawood Y, et al. Knowledge, attitude and practice toward
COVID‑19 among the public in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:
A cross‑sectional study. Front Public Health 2020;8:217.
Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Volume 12, Issue 1
January 2022
Pages 1-7

Home

Guide for Authors

Submit Manuscript

Reviewers

Contact Us