Table 4.
Technique of using face mask (n = 1500)
| Technique of using face mask | Correct | Incorrect | Description of incorrect technique |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency (%) | Frequency (%) | ||
| Wearing a face mask | |||
| 1. Perform hand hygiene before wearing the face mask. | 128 (8.5) | 1372 (91.5) | Participants did not perform hand hygiene before putting on the face mask. |
| 2. Choose the appropriate size of face mask. | 1126 (75.1) | 374 (24.9) | Participants chose an oversized face mask or chose an undersized face mask. |
| 3. Ensure the colored side of the face mask is facing outwards. | 1275 (85.0) | 225 (15.0) | Participants placed the colored side of the face mask inwards. |
| 4. Ensure the part with metallic strip is on the upper side. | 1427 (95.1) | 73 (4.9) | Participants placed the metallic strip lowermost. |
| 5. Position the elastic band properly. | 1458 (97.2) | 42 (2.8) | Participants positioned the elastic band to the middle of the ear back or curled up the elastic band to the arm of the glasses. |
| 6. Press firmly on the metallic strip to the bridge of nose and face. | 742 (49.5) | 758 (50.5) | Participants did not mold the metallic strip or molded the metallic strip up to the bridge of the nose only. |
| 7. Extend the face mask to cover mouth, nose and chin. | 1262 (84.1) | 238 (15.9) | Participants did not extend the face mask or extended the face mask partially to cover the nose and mouth only. |
| 8. Avoid touching the face mask once it is secured. | 546 (36.4) | 954 (63.6) | Participants touched the face mask while handling the glasses, scratching the face or rubbing the nose. |
| Taking off a face mask | |||
| 9. Perform hand hygiene before taking off the face mask. | 40 (2.7) | 1460 (97.3) | Participants did not perform hand hygiene before taking off the face mask. |
| 10. Touch only the elastic bands. | 445 (29.7) | 1055 (70.3) | Participants touched the surface of the face mask or folded the face mask inside the palm. |
| 11. Dispose of the used face mask in a lidded rubbish bin. | 603 (40.2) | 897 (59.8) | Participants disposed the used face mask in a rubbish bin without a lid. |
| 12. Perform hand hygiene after disposing the face mask. | 127 (8.5) | 1373 (91.5) | Participants did not perform hand hygiene after disposing the face mask. |