Factors associated with willingness to wear a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in a Midwestern Community

Objective: To identify motivators and barriers to wearing a mask to prevent COVID-19.

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.