Acceptability of Locally Produced Nose Mask in a University Community in Ghana

Rosemary Quarcoo, Phyllis Forster, Jacqueline Ogoe, Mercy Ampofowah Osei, Victoria Ghanney, Priscilla Agbodo (2023)

The study looked at the acceptability of cloth nose masks produced during the outbreak of COVID 19 in a public University in Ghana. This study looked into staff consumers’ views and experiences with the cloth nose mask produced by the Clothing Production Unit (CPU) of a public university in Ghana. The production quality, durability, comfortability, ease of care and acceptability of the cloth nose was assessed with the intent to use findings to guide future production. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. A self-developed structured questionnaire was used for detail data collection from one hundred (101) respondents who were purposively selected and conveniently reached. The findings generally presented high acceptance level for the cloth nose masks. Specifically, respondents rated sample two (46) and one (44) as the most preferred designs of the cloth nose mask. Also, respondents found the cloth nose masks quality in terms of production (M=3.84), design (M=3.98), comfort of usage (M=3.77), durability (M=3.97), easiness in caring (M=3.95). The study concludes that the cloth nose masks produced by CPU meet consumer expectations and acceptance. This implies that if production is guided by improved practices the cloth nose masks would serve its intended purpose of controlling the spread of covid-19. Therefore, this survey recommends the adoption of the cloth nose masks to supplement other types recommended for use by World Health Organization (WHO) whilst maintaining and/or improving standards of production.