Mask Use Scale: A scale development study

The correct use of face masks is one of the most effective ways to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections.

This study aimed to develop a valid and reliable measure to assess attitudes and behaviors related to mask use in social settings.

A methodological study was conducted with 489 people aged 18 years and older. Data were collected using a sociodemographic information form and the Mask Use Scale. The data were evaluated using descriptive statistics, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, dependent-samples t-test, Pearson correlation analysis, and Cronbach’s alpha internal consistency coefficients.

Of the 48 items in the draft scale, 10 items with item-total correlations below 0.30 were removed from the scale. All remaining items had positive and significant item-total correlation coefficients (p<0.001). Mean scores in the test and retest showed no significant difference (p>0.05). Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were .76 for the mask use subscale, .77 for the hygiene subscale, .78 for the cloth mask subscale, .77 for the requirement subscale, .80 for the mask selection subscale, and .93 for the entire scale. Concluison: The Mask Use Scale is a valid and reliable tool and can be used to determine adults’ attitudes and behavior related to the use of face masks in social settings.