Data_Sheet_1_Perceived Effectiveness and Sustainability of Face Masks Among German Citizens During the 2nd Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Cross-Sectional Study.PDF

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic, which began at the end of 2019, has led to a significant increase in the demand for face masks in Germany and around the globe. Since non-reusable masks are often not correctly disposed of and are not biodegradable, their increasing use harms the environment. Both the ongoing pandemic and the rising environmental pollution eventually pose a threat to human health. Yet, it is unclear whether mask users are conscious of this, and which factors influence their choice of face masks. This study investigates the user preferences, perceived effectiveness, and the sustainability of different mouth/nose protection (MNP) to lay the foundation for developing more sustainable and effective alternatives.
MethodsA national (Germany-wide) cross-sectional study with a sample of 1,036 participants was conducted. Descriptive data analysis was deployed to describe trends and socio-demographic differences among the respondents. Different socio-demographic groups among the respondents were compared regarding their infection risk perception, compliance toward the use of personal protective measures, their choice of MNP, and knowledge level of sustainability and effectiveness of various MNP using inferential statistics (Chi2 test/Whitney–Mann-U-test/Kruskal–Wallis-test).
ResultsThe results suggest that, in addition to protective effectiveness, the reusability of MNP is important to not just most respondents but especially to older participants. In contrast, the price, shape, and design were not as important. The knowledge level of the effectiveness and sustainability of MNP was high among the participants and was not associated with socioeconomic characteristics. However, the knowledge level directly influenced the choice of MNP.
ConclusionThere seems to be an inclination to use sustainable MNP, provided their level of protection is similar to medical masks or FFP2/FFP3 masks. The willingness to wear a sustainable option increases with age.

研究背景
2019年末暴发的新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）疫情，使得德国乃至全球范围内对口罩的需求大幅攀升。由于不可重复使用的口罩往往得不到妥善处置，且本身不具备生物降解性，其使用量的持续增长对环境造成了损害。持续蔓延的疫情与日益严重的环境污染，最终均会对人类健康构成威胁。然而目前尚不清楚口罩使用者是否知晓这一问题，亦不清楚哪些因素会影响其口罩选择行为。本研究针对不同口鼻防护用品（mouth/nose protection, MNP）的用户偏好、感知防护效果与可持续性展开调研，旨在为开发更具可持续性与防护效能的替代产品奠定基础。

研究方法
本研究开展了一项覆盖全德国的横断面调查，共纳入1036名受试者。研究采用描述性数据分析方法，对受访者的相关趋势与社会人口学差异进行刻画。采用推论统计方法（卡方检验、Whitney-Mann-U检验、Kruskal-Wallis检验），对不同社会人口学特征组别受访者的感染风险感知、个人防护措施依从性、口鼻防护用品选择行为，以及对各类MNP可持续性与防护效能的认知水平进行对比分析。

研究结果
结果显示，除防护效能外，口鼻防护用品的可重复使用性不仅是多数受访者关注的要点，更是老年群体尤为重视的因素。与之相对，价格、外形与设计的重要性相对较低。受访者对各类MNP防护效能与可持续性的认知水平整体较高，且与社会经济特征无显著关联。但认知水平会直接影响受访者的MNP选择行为。

研究结论
若可持续型口鼻防护用品的防护等级与医用口罩或FFP2/FFP3口罩相当，则受访者倾向于选择此类产品。选择可持续型防护用品的意愿会随年龄增长而提升。