Behavior of Face Mask Wearing and Disposal during the Surveillance of Endemic COVID-19: A Study in Middle and High School Students in Thailand

Abstract: Background: The outbreak of COVID-19 disease has now been announced for the surveillance in the endemic period.   Wearing the face mask is still the mandate of the student levels in Thailand.

Purpose: The objective of the study was conducted to investigate the behavior of face mask wearing and the disposal during the surveillance of covid-19 in the middle and high school students in Thailand.

Methodology: The study was carried out using a cross sectional online survey among the middle (Grade 7-9) and high school (Grade 10-12) students. A total of 188 students was participated in the study.  The behavior of the face mask use and the disposal of the students was analyzed. The behavior of mask use related with the regular mask use, times of use, disposal methods, and opinion on impacts was analyzed by using Chi-square at the significant level of p < 0.05.

Findings:  The study indicated that all students used the masks. The highest daily mask use of students averaged two (n=94, 50%) when they went to school. The majority of students (n=145,77.1%) were still be using the mask, even though it was during the COVID-19 surveillance period. Mainly, no specific infectious bins for collecting    masks were provided at school or at home. The association of the behavior of disposal methods for used masks at school with the student levels was not observed. However, the behavior of disposal methods of used masks at home and the student levels was significantly related (p = 0.001). The middle school student (Grade 7-9) showed the better responsibility of sorting and throwing the waste into the infectious waste bin than the high school student (Grade 10-12). In addition, the misunderstanding of no impact of the improper mask waste disposal was still observed among the middle and high school students.

Conclusions: A total of 188 students, middle school students (Grade 7-9) and high school students (Grade 10-12), participated in this research. The result indicated that the students used the mask both at school and at home. The disposal of used masks at school or at home was improper due to the unavailability of used mask bins. The middle school student (Grade 7-9) had a better responsibility of sorting and throwing infectious waste into the infected waste bin than the high school student (Grade 10-12).  The misunderstanding of no impact of the improper mask waste disposal was observed among the middle and high school students. The additional knowledge of infectious waste in class and the preparation of specific waste bins at school and at home are essential.

Keywords: COVID-19, Surveillance, Endemic Period, Face Mask Wearing, Mask Disposal, Middle and High School Student.

Title: Behavior of Face Mask Wearing and Disposal during the Surveillance of Endemic COVID-19: A Study in Middle and High School Students in Thailand

Author: Chulathep Silapanuntakul

International Journal of Healthcare Sciences

ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)

Vol. 10, Issue 2, October 2022 - March 2023

Page No: 191-198

Research Publish Journals

Website: www.researchpublish.com

Published Date: 18-January-2023