Prevalence and predictors of mask use on a large US university campus during the COVID-19 pandemic: A brief report

Kenneth Burnell; Meredith Robbins; Sharon Kulali; Ellen M Wells

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2021.11.028

Prevalence and predictors of mask use on a large US university campus during the COVID-19 pandemic: A brief report

Am J Infect Control. 2022 Mar;50(3):349-351. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2021.11.028. Epub 2021 Dec 7.

Authors

Kenneth Burnell¹, Meredith Robbins¹, Sharon Kulali², Ellen M Wells³

Affiliations

¹ School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
² Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA; Department of Public Health, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
³ School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA; Department of Public Health, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA. Electronic address: wells54@purdue.edu.

Abstract

This observational study was conducted to determine the prevalence and correlates of wearing masks at a large Midwestern US university during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 7,237 individuals were observed over 24 hours. Overall mask use prevalence was 90.6% (95% confidence interval: 89.9, 91.2); mask use was significantly associated with being indoors (vs outdoors), female (vs male), and at the athletic center (vs the student union).

Keywords: COVID-19; Masks; Personal protective equipment; Universities.

Publication types

Observational Study

MeSH terms

COVID-19* / epidemiology
COVID-19* / prevention & control
Female
Humans
Male
Masks
Pandemics / prevention & control
Prevalence
SARS-CoV-2
Universities

Grants and funding

T03 OH008615/OH/NIOSH CDC HHS/United States