ANALYSIS OF MOTIVATION TO WEAR FACE MASKS IN THE SARS-COV-2 PANDEMIC RELEVANT ALSO FOR THE POST-COVID ERA

Backround: Objective of the research was to analyse the perception of face masks in the first period of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and impact of information about efficiency of wearing masks spread on the internet and in media, including motivational factors and examined reactions to messages promoting the use of face masks against COVID-19. Methods: The data-gathering process was held between March and April 2020, involving slovak inhabitants working in public and private sector at age of 30-55 years old as well as we set the sample criteria such as age, gender, job position and education. Data were collected by questionnaire including three main dimensions: 1. Impact of published offline/online messages about face masks on behavioural attitudes of the people, 2. Impact of existing strategies from the public health authorities, 3. Personal protective behaviours vs. personal motivational factors to wear masks, 4. Focuses on adherence to behaviours required to reduce virus transmission. 5. Perception of purpose of the respiratory masks and the data were analysed using the SPSS. Results: There is significance between information about masks, willingness to wear face masks and follow government restrictions due the coronavirus pandemic. Refusal to wear masks included physical discomfort, confusion or misinformation, low perceived susceptibility to COVID-19, and perceptions of losing identity or autonomy due governmental restrictions. The motivational factors are in relation with the perception of self-protection, protection of others and social norms in society. At the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 in Slovakia, the most of the people used home-made masks (35.91%) or surgical masks (39.66%) mostly due to lack of the respirators, even in the second wave of pandemic we can see people preferred colourful home-made masks or medical masks to respirators that are less comfortable (24.43%) and the motivation has been changed. Conclusion: There is need to know motivational factors and aspect of human behaviour to eliminate transmission of virus that causes COVID-19, and changing behaviour is crucial to preventing the increased number of Covid-19 cases. The goal is to develop resilience and new patterns of behaviour in preparation for future pandemics.