Participants and methods
An anonymous, online survey of adults from Southeastern Minnesota conducted August 2020. We assessed willingness to wear a mask and its associations with socio-demographics, COVID-19-related factors and prevention behaviors using multivariable ordinal logistic regression.
Results
Of 7,786 respondents (78% women, 51% rural), 9% reported ‘not at all willing’, 27% ‘willing’, and 64% ‘very willing’ to wear a mask. Factors independently associated with willingness to wear a mask were: urban residence (OR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.05–1.44, p = 0.009); college degree or greater (OR 1.42, CI 1.05–1.93, p = 0.025); age (18–29 years OR 1.29, CI 01.02–1.64, p = 0.038; 30–39 OR = 1.37, CI 1.12–1.69, p = 0.003; 60–69 OR = 1.44, CI 1.09–1.91, p = 0.011; 70–89 OR 2.09, CI 1.32–3.37, p = 0.002; 40–49 reference group); and (all p < 0.001) democratic party affiliation (OR 1.79, CI 1.40–2.29), correct COVID-19 knowledge (OR 1.50, CI 1.28–1.75), 5 + COVID-19 prevention behaviors (OR 2.74, CI 1.98–3.81), positive perceived impacts for wearing a mask (OR 1.55, 1.52–1.59), perceived COVID-19 severity (OR 2.1, CI 1.44–3.1), and greater stress (OR 1.03, CI 1.02–1.04), and trust in the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (OR 1.78, CI 1.45 –2.19).
Conclusion
Results from this sample of SEMN residents suggest interventions to enhance COVID-19 knowledge, positive expectations for mask wearing, and trust in the CDC are warranted. Research is needed to understand cultural and other barriers and facilitators among sub-populations, e.g., rural residents less willing to wear a mask.
