Table 2 Univariate analysis of issues predicting mask-wearing behaviors among participants

Health and Safety Concerns

I cannot breathe properly through the nose mask

80.4

1.19

0.92, 1.53

Wearing face masks for an extended period causes strain and pain around my ears

73.3

1.01

0.81, 1.26

Wearing face masks for an extended period causes rashes/acne/itch on my nose and/or ears

73.4

0.94

0.75, 1.17

Cost-Benefit Considerations

I cannot afford to buy disposable nose masks regularly

33.0

1.06

0.86, 1.30

The reusable nose masks do not last long

45.0

0.76

0.62, 0.93

Wearing a nose mask does not help prevent the spread of the virus in any way

31.1

1.00

0.81, 1.24

The type of mask I prefer is expensive

38.1

0.98

0.80, 1.20

Wearing a nose mask is not necessary because Covid-19 is not a deadly disease among the youth

16.6

0.80

0.60, 1.06

Perceptions of Physical Appearance

Wearing nose masks hides my beauty

56.0

1.10

0.90, 1.34

Wearing a nose mask does not let me look presentable in public

35.7

1.06

0.87, 1.30

It is boring to put on a nose mask after wearing nice makeup or having a nice haircut

58.4

1.76

1.42, 2.17

Social Influence

Some of my lecturers do not wear the mask so I do not think it is necessary

60.6

1.03

0.84, 1.26

In the community, I live or at home, most people do not wear the mask so I don’t see why campus should be different

37.4

1.06

0.87, 1.30

My friends or roommates do not wear their masks so I do not think it is necessary

55.0

1.09

0.89, 1.33

Communication Challenges

I have to remove the mask anytime I want to talk and I find that burdensome

53.1

1.46

1.19, 1.78

Sometimes I cannot hear colleagues talking when I am masked

72.6

1.82

1.42, 2.34

I find it difficult to talk for my colleagues to hear even when they are close to me

54.0

1.42

1.16, 1.74