Attitudes of preschool children and their families towards face mask during the COVID 19 pandemic

Abstract

Aim: The use of face masks, compliance with hygiene and distance rules were among the leading measures during pandemic. But some authorities didn’t recommend face masks to preschool children. In this study we aimed to evaluate the attitudes of preschool children and their families towards face masks. Materials and Methods: We performed a survey between February-March 2022 to 189 volunteer participants who have preschool children,in pediatric health and diseases outpatient clinics in two different centers. Survey was consisted of 40 questions and 4 parts: 1. Demographic characteristics 2. Covid 19 3. Use of face masks 4.Compliance with hygiene and distance rules Results: Fifty three percent of the children used face mask. It was observed that the presence of a family member obsessed with cleaning caused a statistically higher increase in the number of handwashing in children(p:0,019). Mothers who were university graduates taught the children more distance rules(p.0.014), the number of handwashing increased in their children (:0.001) and the rate of using face masks was higher (p:0.036). Having a family member who have had Covid 19 was inversely proportional to the use of face masks in children (p:0.001) and correct use (p:0.033). It was observed that the rate of wearing masks was higher in children who used glasses (92%, p:0.006). Discussion: Half of the preschool children used face masks regularly. Covid 19 rate was higher in the families whose children didn’t use face masks in community. Face masks can be recommended to preschool children who can use it, during the pandemic.

Keywords

• Children
• COVID 19
• face mask

COVID 19 pandemisinde okul öncesi çocukların ve ailelerinin maske kullanım tutumları

Abstract

Amaç: Pandemi sürecinde yüz maskesi kullanımı, hijyen ve mesafe kurallarına uyulması başta gelen önlemler arasında yer almıştır. Ancak bazı okul öncesi çocuklara yüz maskesi kullanımını önermemektedir. Bu çalışmada okul öncesi çocukların ve ailelerinin yüz maskelerine yönelik tutumlarının değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Şubat-Mart 2022 tarihleri arasında iki farklı merkezde çocuk sağlığı ve hastalıkları polikliniklerinde okul öncesi çocuğu olan 189 gönüllü katılımcıya anket uygulandı. Anket 40 soru ve 4 bölümden oluşuyordu: 1. Demografik özellikler 2. Covid 19 3. Yüz maskesi kullanımı 4. Hijyen ve mesafe kurallarına uygunluk. Bulgular: Çocukların yüzde elli üçü yüz maskesi kullanmıştı. Ailede temizlik takıntısı olan bir bireyin varlığının çocuklarda el yıkama sayısında istatistiksel olarak daha fazla artışa neden olduğu görüldü(p:0,019). Üniversite mezunu annelerin çocuklarına daha fazla mesafe kuralı öğrettiği(p.0.014), çocuklarında el yıkama sayısının arttığı (:0.001) ve yüz maskesi kullanma oranlarının daha yüksek olduğu (p:0.036) belirlendi. Ailede Covid 19 geçirmiş bir birey olması, çocuklarda yüz maskesi kullanımı (p:0,001) ve doğru kullanım (p:0,033) ile ters orantılıydı. Gözlük kullanan çocuklarda maske takma oranının daha yüksek olduğu görüldü (%92, p:0,006). Tartışma: Okul öncesi çocukların yarısı düzenli olarak yüz maskesi kullanmıştı. Çocukları toplum içinde yüz maskesi kullanmayan ailelerde Covid 19 oranı daha yüksekti. Pandemi döneminde, kullanabilen okul öncesi çocuklara yüz maskeleri önerilebileceğini düşünmekteyiz.

Keywords

• COVID 19
• Çocuk
• maske

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