The results of a two-month study regarding mask-wearing behaviors on the ETSU campus and in the Johnson City community has been published in the Journal of Community Health.
The study, conducted by students from the ETSU Center for Rural Health Research, sought out to see how different mask-wearing behaviors differed within the ETSU community and the surrounding region.
From Feb. 8, 2021 to April 30, 2021, eight ETSU students conducted the observational study at five on-campus sites and five off-campus sites. They recorded how many individuals wore a mask, the type of mask and if it was worn correctly.
When the observations began, mask mandates were in place on the ETSU campus as well as Washington county; however, the Washington County mandate was lifted during the study.
Students found a significant difference between mask-wearing behaviors on the ETSU campus compared to the surrounding community. 92% of individuals observed at on-campus sites wore masks, while 75% of individuals observed at off-campus sites wore masks.
The study found that across all observation days, most on-campus locations had at least 85% mask-wearing observed, whereas all off-campus locations had less than 85% mask-wearing observed.
Throughout the observations, the lowest reported rate of mask-wearing was at 57%, and was recorded at an off-campus coffee shop.
There was no significant difference between mask-wearing during the mandate and when the mandate was not in place.
The two-month study was overseen by Research Assistant Professor Dr. Samuel Pettyjohn from the Center of Rural Health Research.
“We were able to take a national project from the CDC and make it relevant to what was happening in our region during the pandemic,” Pettyjohn said.
“We allowed students to take the lead on this project to learn valuable research skills and get firsthand experience with publishing in a highly reputable academic journal.”
The full study, “Mask Adherence to Mask Mandate: College Campus Versus the Surrounding Community,” was published Monday, Jan. 30 and can be read online in the Journal of Community Health.
