Association between Social Integration and Face Mask Use Behavior during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Japan: Results from U-CORONA Study

Nobutoshi Nawa, Yui Yamaoka, Yuna Koyama, Hisaaki Nishimura, Shiro Sonoda, Jin Kuramochi, Yasunari Miyazaki and Takeo Fujiwara
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Nobutoshi Nawa: Department of Medical Education Research and Development, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
Yui Yamaoka: Department of Global Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
Yuna Koyama: Department of Global Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
Hisaaki Nishimura: Department of Global Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
Shiro Sonoda: Kuramochi Clinic Interpark, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-0114, Japan
Jin Kuramochi: Kuramochi Clinic Interpark, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-0114, Japan
Yasunari Miyazaki: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
Takeo Fujiwara: Department of Global Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 9, 1-12

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: face mask use; communicable diseases; social integration; coronavirus infections (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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