Face Mask Compliance and Complacency amongst Pakistan’s Youth During the Third Wave of COVID-19

Objective: To assess the reasons for compliance with face mask usage amongst Pakistani youth. Study Design: Internet-based cross-sectional survey. Place and Duration of Study: Different cities of Pakistan, in April 2021. Methodology: Persons currently residing in Pakistan aged 18-29 were included in the study. The questionnaire included questions to identify self-perceptions of vulnerability to COVID-19, followed by questions about social situations where respondents wore facemasks. Results: A large number of (1,034,90%) respondents reported compliance with facemasks. Specifically, 1048(92%), 962(85%), and 850(75%) of respondents wore facemasks in healthcare facilities, marketplaces, or at work or school respectively. Nevertheless, when self-regulating, such as with family or around friends, compliance fell to 200(18%). Compliance turns to complacency when people are expected to self-regulate face mask usage. Females were more compliant than males (p<0.001). A large 779(68%) of compliant youth relied on information from Internet-based resources. Conclusion: The study correlates the reasons for compliance and complacency. In Pakistan, the most compliant youth get information from the Internet, particularly official websites and social media.