Kaiser Permanente, Southern California, Research and Evaluation, Pasadena, CA, USA.
California State University, Long Beach, CA USA.
Am J Infect Control. 2022 Sep;50(9):969-974. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2022.04.010. Epub 2022 May 8.
Quantification of the impact of local masking policies may help guide future policy interventions to reduce SARS-COV-2 disease transmission. This study's objective was to identify factors associated with adherence to masking and social distancing guidelines.
Faculty from 16 U.S. colleges and universities trained 231 students in systematic direct observation. They assessed correct mask use and distancing in public settings in 126 US cities from September 2020 through August 2021.
Of 109,999 individuals observed in 126 US cities, 48% wore masks correctly with highest adherence among females, teens and seniors and lowest among non-Hispanic whites, those in vigorous physical activity, and in larger groups (P < .0001). Having a local mask mandate increased the odds of wearing a mask by nearly 3-fold (OR = 2.99, P = .0003) compared to no recommendation. People observed in non-commercial areas were least likely to wear masks. Correct mask use was greatest in December 2020 and remained high until June 2021 (P < .0001). Masking policy requirements were not associated with distancing.
The strong association between mask mandates and correct mask use suggests that public policy has a powerful influence on individual behavior.
Mask mandates should be considered in future pandemics to increase adherence.
量化局部掩蔽政策的影响可能有助于指导未来减少 SARS-CoV-2 疾病传播的政策干预。本研究的目的是确定与遵守掩蔽和社会距离指南相关的因素。
16 所美国高校的教师培训了 231 名学生进行系统的直接观察。他们于 2020 年 9 月至 2021 年 8 月期间在 126 个美国城市的公共场评估正确的口罩使用和距离。
在 126 个美国城市观察到的 109999 个人中，有 48%的人正确佩戴口罩，女性、青少年和老年人的佩戴率最高，非西班牙裔白人、剧烈体力活动者和人数较多的群体的佩戴率最低（P <.0001）。与没有建议相比，当地口罩强制令使佩戴口罩的几率增加了近 3 倍（OR=2.99，P=.0003）。在非商业区域观察到的人最不可能戴口罩。2020 年 12 月正确佩戴口罩的比例最高，直到 2021 年 6 月仍保持较高水平（P <.0001）。掩蔽政策要求与距离无关。
掩蔽命令与正确掩蔽使用之间的强关联表明，公共政策对个人行为具有强大的影响力。
在未来的大流行中，应考虑采用掩蔽命令以提高遵守率。
