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Mask-Wearing and Handwashing Behaviors of Chinese Rural Residents during the Pandemic of COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Author

Listed:
  • Zhiyuan Zheng

    (Institute for Health Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China)

  • Chengyao Liang

    (Institute for Health Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China)

  • Zhuoyang Li

    (Institute for Health Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China)

  • Yugao Wu

    (Institute for Health Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China)

  • Baixue Lin

    (Institute for Health Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China)

  • Jing Fang

    (Institute for Health Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China)

Abstract

Objective: To understand mask-wearing and handwashing behaviors of Chinese rural residents during the COVID-19 pandemic and to analyze the associated factors. Methods: This study used a multi-stage random sampling method to conduct a cross-sectional questionnaire survey during the period of July to December of 2021, in six counties located in Shandong, Shanxi, and Yunnan provinces representing the eastern, central, and western regions of China, respectively. A total of 3864 villagers were surveyed with a questionnaire, and 3832 valid questionnaires were finally analyzed. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results: Around ninety-four percent (93.6%) of rural residents reported mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic, but only 44.5% of them could replace masks in time. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that those who were female, aged 15–59, had an education level of high school and above, were divorced/widowed, worked as farmers (workers), or were rural residents in Shandong Province were more likely to wear masks. Furthermore, those who were female, aged 15–59, had an education level of high school and above, were unmarried and married, were business and service workers, or were rural residents in Shandong and Shanxi Province replaced masks more timely. Around seventy percent (69.7%) of rural residents reported using soap when washing their hands, but only 38.0% of rural residents could wash their hands properly. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that rural residents who were aged 35–59, had an education of high school and above, or lived in Shandong Province and Shanxi Province were more likely to wash their hands with soap. Those who were aged 15–59, had an education of high school and above, worked as farmers (workers), were employees of governmental departments and retirees, were business and service workers, or were students had higher proper handwashing rates. Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the proportion of Chinese rural residents wearing masks reached 93.6%, but only 44.5% were able to replace masks in time, gender, age, education level, marital status, occupation, and living place had an impact on mask-wearing. The proportion of Chinese rural residents who could wash hands with soap reached 69.7%, but only 38.0% could wash their hands properly. Age and education level were influencing factors for both washing-hand with soap and proper handwashing.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhiyuan Zheng & Chengyao Liang & Zhuoyang Li & Yugao Wu & Baixue Lin & Jing Fang, 2022. "Mask-Wearing and Handwashing Behaviors of Chinese Rural Residents during the Pandemic of COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-13, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2022:i:1:p:779-:d:1021701
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Behnam Honarvar & Kamran B. Lankarani & Ali Kharmandar & Fatemeh Shaygani & Mohammadhassan Zahedroozgar & Mohammad Reza Rahmanian Haghighi & Sulmaz Ghahramani & Hossein Honarvar & Mohammad Mehdi Darya, 2020. "Knowledge, attitudes, risk perceptions, and practices of adults toward COVID-19: a population and field-based study from Iran," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 65(6), pages 731-739, July.
    2. Mana Sugimura & Odgerel Chimed-Ochir & Yui Yumiya & Hiroki Ohge & Nobuaki Shime & Takemasa Sakaguchi & Junko Tanaka & Toshiro Takafuta & Michi Mimori & Masao Kuwabara & Toshimasa Asahara & Eisaku Kish, 2021. "The Association between Wearing a Mask and COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-7, August.
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