Changes in awareness on face mask use in Korea

Area of Science:

• Public Health Nursing
• Epidemiology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated widespread public health interventions globally.
• Mandatory face mask policies were a key strategy to curb viral transmission.
• Understanding public adoption of these measures is crucial for effective policy implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the implementation of mandatory face mask use in Korea during the COVID-19 outbreak.
• To examine the role of public health nursing in increasing public awareness and adoption of face masks.
• To identify stages of awareness: familiar wearing, frequent wearing, and always wearing.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of public health nursing strategies in Korea.
• Review of public awareness campaigns and their impact on mask-wearing behavior.
• Case study approach focusing on the Korean experience with mandatory mask policies.

Main Results:

• Public health nursing interventions successfully shifted awareness towards consistent face mask usage.
• A phased approach, moving from familiar to frequent to always wearing, was observed.
• Korean strategies offer valuable insights into managing public compliance with health mandates.

Conclusions:

• Public health nursing played a vital role in the successful implementation of face mask mandates in Korea.
• The Korean model of phased awareness increase provides a transferable strategy for other countries.
• Effective public health communication is essential for sustained adherence to protective behaviors during pandemics.