Identifying targets for interventions to support public use of face coverings

Objectives Interventions to promote the wearing of face coverings if required in the future can only be developed if we know why people do or do not wear them. Study aims were, therefore, to assess public adherence to wearing face coverings to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and to gauge why people were or were not wearing face coverings in work, public transport, and indoor leisure settings. Design Cross-sectional survey. Methods 10,622 adults (25 January-6 February 2022) who were representative of the UK population were asked about their (a) wearing of face coverings in work, public transport, and leisure settings; (b) sociodemographic characteristics; and (c) perceptions of capabilities, opportunities, and motivations (COM-B). Data were analysed descriptively, using within-participants ANOVA and multiple linear regression. Results Participants reported mostly wearing face coverings in public transport settings (>80%), but substantially less in work (<50%) and leisure (<30%) contexts. Perceptions of capabilities, opportunities, and motivations to wear face coverings were consistently associated with the actual wearing of face coverings across the three settings, but there were marked deficits in automatic motivation and social opportunity. People living in England, describing themselves as White, and men were least likely to wear face coverings. Conclusions Interventions targeted at men, people living in England, and those describing themselves as White that focus on increasing capabilities, providing greater opportunities and boosting motivations are suggested to promote the wearing of face coverings, with particular focus on addressing automatic motivation and social opportunity.

Automated summary

The study aimed to assess public adherence to wearing face coverings and to understand the reasons for wearing or not wearing masks in work, public transport, and leisure settings. The results showed that participants were more likely to wear face coverings in public transport settings, but less likely to wear them in work and leisure contexts. Perceptions of capabilities, opportunities, and motivations were consistently associated with wearing face coverings, but there were deficits in automatic motivation and social opportunity. Men, people living in England, and those describing themselves as White were least likely to wear face coverings.