Dataset Information

Factors associated with mask use in New York City neighborhood parks during the COVID-19 pandemic: A field audit study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mask use is a cost-effective measure to decrease COVID-19 transmission. Mask mandates intend to increase mask compliance but are often ambiguous when it comes to public outdoor spaces.

Methods

We used a field audit study to examine mask use in New York City neighborhood parks during COVID-19. 1453 park visitors were observed in 13 parks during July-August 2020 using a modified and validated park use audit tool (System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities) that included items on general and proper mask use (i.e., mask covering both nose and mouth). Generalized estimating equation regression was used to determine the association between proper mask use and demographic (sex and age) and behavioral (physical and social activity) variables, while adjusting for community-level covariates.

Results

Overall, 39.0% of park visitors used masks (24.4% properly, 14.6% improperly). Females (p = 0.023), adults (p = 0.025), and seniors (p = 0.006) showed higher rates of proper mask use compared to males and younger visitors. Physical and social activity were not significantly associated with proper mask use.

Conclusion

There is a need for improved messaging regarding the proper use of masks among males and younger people. This is particularly important for future surges of new COVID-19 variants or other public health crises similar to COVID-19. Future research should focus on developing and evaluating targeted public health messages regarding mask use.

SUBMITTER: Hitch L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8855606 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Factors associated with mask use in New York City neighborhood parks during the COVID-19 pandemic: A field audit study.

Hitch Lisa L Sillice Marie A MA Kodali Hanish H Wyka Katarzyna E KE Peña Javier Otero JO Huang Terry Tk TT

Journal of infection and public health 20220218 4

<h4>Background</h4>Mask use is a cost-effective measure to decrease COVID-19 transmission. Mask mandates intend to increase mask compliance but are often ambiguous when it comes to public outdoor spaces.<h4>Methods</h4>We used a field audit study to examine mask use in New York City neighborhood parks during COVID-19. 1453 park visitors were observed in 13 parks during July-August 2020 using a modified and validated park use audit tool (System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities) th ...[more]

PMID: 35249842

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Project description:BackgroundWhile housing is a critical social determinant of nonprescription opioid overdose, little is known about how place impacts fatal overdose for people experiencing homelessness (PEH) who use drugs beyond the public versus private domains. This study investigated patterns of neighborhood environment features at locations of fatal overdoses among PEH.MethodsWe remotely visited locations of opioid-involved fatal overdoses provided by the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, 2017-2019 (n=3276), with Google Street View and used systematic social observation to assess characteristics of the street block related to drug exposures. We cross-referenced home address with city shelters and supportive housing to identify PEH (n=503). We used the differences of K functions from the spatial point patterns and kernel ratio function maps to identify geographic clusters. We then used logistic regression to identify significant individual-, block-, and neighborhood-level covariates (neighborhood deprivation, segregation, population density).ResultsOver half (55.9%, n=281) of fatal overdoses among PEH occurred in supportive housing or shelters, and 15.5% (n=78) occurred in public spaces (e.g., parks). Spatial analyses identified areas of significant concentrated fatal overdoses among PEH in Manhattan, the South Bronx, and Brooklyn. We identified several significant indicators of physical and social order and disorder associated with increased odds of experiencing homelessness at time of fatal overdose, including construction/renovation, graffiti, traffic calming features, and loitering.ConclusionHarm reduction services should be co-located in facilities that serve PEH and targeted to street blocks with indicators of physical and social disorder. While supportive housing is a crucial step in preventing fatal opioid overdoses among PEH, identifying neighborhoods for intervention services delivery and harm reduction outreach for PEH is necessary.

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Project description:ImportanceThe US has high rates of adverse birth outcomes, with substantial racial disparities augmented by stress and neighborhood disadvantage. Black people are more likely to live in neighborhoods with high rates of incarceration, which is a source of both stress and neighborhood disadvantage and, thus, may contribute to adverse birth outcomes.ObjectiveTo determine whether neighborhoods with high incarceration rates also have higher rates of adverse birth outcomes compared with neighborhoods with lower rates.Design, setting, and participantsThis cross-sectional study used publicly available data from the New York City Department of Health (2010-2014). Censored Poisson regression, with the US Census tract as the unit of analysis, was used to examine the association of neighborhood incarceration rate and birth outcomes. Multivariable models included percentage of births aggregated to the Census tract by maternal factors (age, parity, singleton vs multiple birth, insurance, and race) and neighborhood factors (poverty, education, and violent crime). Analyses were performed between May 2021 and October 2022.ExposureNeighborhood incarceration rate, categorized into quintiles.Main outcomes and measuresThe primary outcome was the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of preterm birth and low birth weight. Secondary outcomes were IRRs of very preterm birth, extremely preterm birth, and very low birth weight. Hypotheses were formulated before data collection.ResultsAmong 2061 Census tracts with 562 339 births, incarceration rates varied from 0 to 4545 people incarcerated per 100 000, and high-incarceration neighborhoods had more residents of Black race (54.00% vs 1.90%), living in poverty (32.30% vs 10.00%), and without a general educational development equivalent (28.00% vs 12.00%) compared with low-incarceration neighborhoods. In fully adjusted models, high-incarceration neighborhoods had a 13% higher IRR of preterm birth (IRR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.08-1.18), 45% higher IRR of very preterm birth (IRR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.24-1.71), 125% higher IRR of extremely preterm birth (IRR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.59-3.18), 10% higher IRR of low birth weight (IRR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.05-1.16), and 52% higher IRR of very low birth weight compared with low-incarceration neighborhoods (IRR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.28-1.81).Conclusions and relevanceNeighborhood incarceration rate was positively associated with adverse birth outcomes, particularly those associated with infant mortality. Black people were significantly more likely to live in high-incarceration neighborhoods, suggesting that mass incarceration may contribute to racial disparities in birth outcomes.

Dataset Information

Factors associated with mask use in New York City neighborhood parks during the COVID-19 pandemic: A field audit study.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Factors associated with mask use in New York City neighborhood parks during the COVID-19 pandemic: A field audit study.

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