Association of COVID-19 Government-Instituted Mask Mandates With Incidence of Mask Use Among Children in Alberta, Canada

Key Points

Question

Are government mask mandates associated with mask use among children in Alberta, Canada?

Findings

This cohort study of 939 children (age, 8-13 years) from August 2020 to June 2022 examined government masking mandates and child mask use; the odds of parents’ report of child mask use (often or always) was 18.3 times higher during the mask mandate compared with when there was no mandate, which was a significant difference. Each day without the mask mandate was associated with a 1.6% decrease in mask use.

Meaning

The findings of this study suggest the importance of public health messaging and time since the mask mandate was lifted.

Abstract

Importance

To help prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, government-instituted nonpharmaceutical interventions (eg, social distancing, mask use, isolating), a provincewide government-instituted mask mandate occurred on December 8, 2020, in Alberta, Canada, although some local jurisdictions implemented an earlier mask mandate. There remains a limited understanding of the association between government-implemented public health measures and individual health behaviors of children.

Objective

To examine the association between government mask mandates and mask use among children in Alberta, Canada.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A cohort of children from Alberta, Canada, was recruited to examine longitudinal SARS-CoV-2 serologic factors. Parents were prospectively asked about their child’s mask use in public places every 3 months (5-point Likert scale: never to always) from August 14, 2020, to June 24, 2022. A multivariable logistic generalized estimating equation was used to examine government mandatory masking mandates and child mask use. Child mask use was operationalized into a single composite dichotomous outcome by grouping parents who reported their child often or always wore a mask vs those who reported their child never, rarely, or occasionally wore a mask.

Exposures

The primary exposure variable was the government masking mandate (began on different dates in 2020). The secondary exposure variable was government private indoor and outdoor gathering restrictions.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was parent report of child mask use.

Results

A total of 939 children participated (467 female [49.7%]; mean [SD] age, 10.61 [1.6] years). The odds of parents’ report of child mask use (often or always) was 18.3 times higher (95% CI, 5.7-58.6; P < .001; risk ratio, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.5-1.8; P < .001) with the mask mandate on compared with the mask mandate off. There was no significant change in mask use over the course of the mask mandate due to time. In contrast, each day with the mask mandate off was associated with a 1.6% decrease in mask use (odds ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.98-0.99; P < .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

The results of this study suggest that government-mandated mask use and providing the public with up-to-date health information (eg, case counts) is associated with increased parent-reported child mask use, while increasing time without a mask mandate is associated with decreased mask use.

Abstract

This cohort study examines parent-reported incidence of masking among children during periods of the COVID-19 pandemic with vs without government mask mandates in Alberta, Canada.