A Descriptive Analytical Study to Assess the Knowledge and Practice of Proper Face Mask Wearing among Healthcare Professionals, Patients and Attendants in a Tertiary Care Center of North India

Introduction:Respiratory infections including tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health issue around the world.Regular use of a proper face mask is a cost-effective preventive measure to reduce the risk of respiratory infection among healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients attending hospitals.Hence, we conducted the study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of proper face mask wearing among healthcare professionals, patients, and attendants.Materials and methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study from November 2022 to August 2023 at the Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College & Hospital, Kumarhatti, Himachal Pradesh, India.A total of 390 participants were enrolled in this study including healthcare professionals, patients, and their attendants presented to Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College & Hospital, Kumarhatti, Himachal Pradesh, India.All participants fulfilling inclusion criteria were interviewed face to face using a validated, semi-structured questionnaire for collecting data regarding knowledge and proper practices for face mask utilization.The collected data were analyzed using the Software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20.0.Results: Out of 390 subjects, 221 (56%) were females and the predominant 212 (54.3%) age group was in between 18 and 34 years.Among 390 participants 165 (42.3%) were medical students, 114 (29.2%) were patients and attendants, 68 (17.4%) were nurses, and 43 (11%) were doctors.There was a statistically significant association between face mask wearing in public places and higher education levels (p = 0.0234).It was found that most participants did not wash their hands before wearing 293 (75.1%) and after removing 307 (78%) the face mask.Conclusion: Knowledge and proper practice of face mask wearing among the participants, specifically patients and attendants was poor.Hence, there is an utmost need to improve awareness regarding knowledge and proper practices of mask utilization among HCWs, patients, and the general population to prevent respiratory infections.