Association between Social Integration and Face Mask Use Behavior during the SARS CoV 2 Pandemic in Japan: Results from U CORONA Study
Face mask use is a critical behavior to prevent the spread of SARS CoV 2. We aimed to evaluate the association between social integration and face mask use during the COVID 19 pandemic in a random sample of households in Utsunomiya City, Greater Tokyo, Japan. Data included 645 adults in the Utsunomiya COVID 19 seROprevalence Neighborhood Association (U CORONA) study, which was conducted after the first wave of the pandemic, between 14 June 2020 and 5 July 2020, in Utsunomiya City. Social integration before the pandemic was assessed by counting the number of social roles, based on the Cohen's social network index. Face mask use before and during the pandemic was assessed by questionnaire, and participants were categorized into consistent mask users, new users, and current non users. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between lower social integration score and face mask use. To account for possible differential non response bias, non response weights were used. Of the 645 participants, 172 (26.7% were consistent mask users and 460 (71.3% were new users, while 13 (2.0% were current non users. Lower social integration level was positively associated with non users (RRR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.10, 2.82) Social integration may be important to promote face mask use.
International journal of environmental research and public health