Support for mask use as a COVID-19 public health prevention measure among a large sample of Canadian secondary school students

Abstract Objectives: We examined the level of student support of mask use in public spaces and school mask requirements intended to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission, as well as factors associated with students’ perspectives. Methods: We used cross-sectional survey data from 42,767 adolescents attending 133 Canadian secondary schools that participated in the COMPASS study during the 2020/2021 school year. Multinomial regression models assessed support for i) wearing a mask in indoor public spaces and ii) schools requiring students to wear masks, in association with COVID-19 knowledge, concerns, and perceived risk. Results : Wearing masks in indoor public spaces was supported by 81.9% of students; 8.7% were unsupportive and 9.4% were neutral/undecided. School mask requirements were supported by 67.8%, with 23.1% neutral and 9.1% unsupportive. More females supported mask wearing in public spaces (83.9% vs. 79.1%) and school mask requirements (70.8% vs. 63.5%) than males. Students had increased odds of supporting mask use in public spaces and school mask requirements if they reported concerns about their own or their family’s health, had discussions regarding ways to prevent infection, perceived COVID-19 to be a risk to young people, and knew that signs are not always present in COVID-19 cases and that masks prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission if someone coughs. Conclusions : During the year following the beginning of the pandemic, most students supported wearing masks in indoor public spaces and the required use of masks in schools. Improving knowledge around the effectiveness of masks appears likely to have the largest impact on mask support among adolescent populations.