Risk Management and Healthcare Policy (Jan 2022)

Double Face Mask Use for COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Among Medical Students at Makerere University: A Cross-Section Survey

  • Nalunkuma R,
  • Abila DB,
  • Ssewante N,
  • Kiyimba B,
  • Kigozi E,
  • Kisuza RK,
  • Kasekende F,
  • Nkalubo J,
  • Kalungi S,
  • Muttamba W,
  • Kiguli S

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 15
pp. 111 – 120

Abstract

Read online

Racheal Nalunkuma,1 Derrick Bary Abila,1,2 Nelson Ssewante,1 Blaise Kiyimba,1 Edwin Kigozi,3 Ruth Ketty Kisuza,1 Fulugensio Kasekende,1 Jonathan Nkalubo,1 Samuel Kalungi,4 Winters Muttamba,5 Sarah Kiguli6 1School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; 2Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; 3School of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; 4Department of Pathology, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda; 5Makerere University Lung Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; 6Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, UgandaCorrespondence: Racheal NalunkumaSchool of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda, Tel +256 704150697, Email [email protected]: The second wave of COVID-19 greatly affected the health care and education systems in Uganda, due to the infection itself and the lockdowns instituted. Double masking has been suggested as a safe alternative to double-layered masks, where the quality of the latter may not be guaranteed. This study aimed to determine patterns of double mask use among undergraduate medical students at Makerere University, Uganda.Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire. All students enrolled at the College of Health Sciences; Makerere University received the link to this questionnaire to participate. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with double mask use.Results: A total of 348 participants were enrolled. The majority (61.8%) were male; the median age was 23 (range: 32) years. Up to 10.3%, 42%, and 4.3% reported past COVID-19 positive test, history of COVID-19 symptoms, and having comorbidities, respectively. Up to 40.8% had been vaccinated against COVID-19. More than half (68.7%) believed double masking was superior to single masking for COVID-19 IPC, but only 20.5% reported double masking. Participants with a past COVID-19 positive test [aOR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.1– 5.8, p = 0.026] and participants who believed double masks had a superior protective advantage [aOR: 20; 95% CI: 4.9– 86.2, p < 0.001] were more likely to double mask. Lack of trust in the quality of masks (46.5%) was the most frequent motivation for double masking, while excessive sweating (68.4%), high cost of masks (66.4%), and difficulty in breathing (66.1%) were the major barriers.Conclusion: Very few medical students practice double masking to prevent COVID-19. Coupled with inconsistencies in the availability of the recommended four-layered masks in Uganda and increased exposure in lecture rooms and clinical rotations, medical students may be at risk of contracting COVID-19.Keywords: COVID-19, infection prevention and control, double masking, second wave

Keywords