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How Healthcare Teams Appear to the Observer—An Approach to the Complexities of Mask-Wearing Attitudes During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought widespread attention to the use of protective masks. This study explores how the socio-demographic factors influence the perception of an interprofessional team wearing FFP2 masks. An online survey conducted in 2021 included 906 participants who rated photographs of an interprofessional team in four different attire scenarios: tunic, white coat, FFP2 masks, and pink socks. In addition education and occupation of participants were obtained. By measuring the attitudes towards an interprofessional team wearing FFP2 masks implicitly the attitude towards this COVID-19 measure was assessed. The statistical analysis employed MANOVA to assess the significance of differences in perception. Healthcare professionals were more critical of teams wearing masks compared to other occupational groups, with a third expressing skepticism about the effectiveness of masks. The results underscore the importance of understanding healthcare professionals' attitudes towards preventive measures, especially masks, for future pandemics. The study uses the Health Belief Model (HBM) as an approach to interpret how the attitude towards preventive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic affect behavior.

Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph22111755

Authors: Hans Joachim Roehrens, Michaela Stratmann, Jan P. Ehlers

Institution: Witten/Herdecke University

Language: English

Topic: Infection Control and Ventilation

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,016