Adherence to Mask Wearing Policies in OECD and Non-OECD Nations

BACKGROUND: When medical facemasks became a key non-pharmaceutical intervention (NPI) against COVID-19, public health researchers quickly tried to understand why persons did or did not comply with masking policies. Research connected mask adherence to various social characteristics and psychological attitudes. While important, much of this research was performed in the Global North and one might wonder: Are the characteristics of persons who adhere to mask policies the same in industrialising non-OECD nations as in more economically developed OECD nations? METHODS: To examine this question, we used the global COVIDiSTRESS survey and responses from over 15,000 persons in 49 countries to examine the demographics, socioeconomic status (SES), sources of COVID-19 information, and levels of trust of those persons who consistently adhered to mask policies. Using logistic regression analysis, we find important differences between respondents in non-OECD and OECD nations. RESULTS: We find that identifying as a woman has a significantly stronger impact on mask adherence in OECD nations than in non-OECD nations. In contrast, higher levels of SES (especially higher levels of education) have a stronger impact on mask adherence in non-OECD nations. Furthermore, only in OECD nations is social media use related to a decreased likelihood of adherence and trust in the government's ability to handle COVID related to an increased likelihood of mask adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Our research shows that the characteristics related to adhering to mask policies varies depending on whether one is referring to OECD or non-OECD nations and that research from the Global North cannot not be simply applied to the Global South. Instead, when another global pandemic occurs, mask policies should be developed based on research findings specifically related to that nation and its level of economic development. KEY MESSAGES: • We find important differences in mask adherence between persons in non-OECD and OECD nations. • Research on mask adherence produced in the Global North cannot simply be applied to the Global South.