Photo-epidemiology to estimate face covering use in select areas in Asia versus the Americas and Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic

J Travel Med. 2020 Dec 23;27(8):taaa121. doi: 10.1093/jtm/taaa121.

Abstract

Using photo-epidemiology, we found extreme variation in COVID-19-related face covering use in Phnom Penh, Cambodia (97%); Lima, Peru (86%); Kerala, India (41%); Cuernavaca, Mexico (25%); Atlanta, USA (21%) and Kinshasa, DRC (4%) probably attributable to differences in population experience with face coverings and variations in timing and implementation of relevant advisories.

MeSH terms

  • Africa / epidemiology
  • Americas / epidemiology
  • Asia / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • COVID-19* / transmission
  • Communicable Disease Control / instrumentation*
  • Communicable Disease Control / methods
  • Communicable Disease Control / statistics & numerical data
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious / prevention & control*
  • Epidemiological Monitoring*
  • Global Health / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Masks* / classification
  • Masks* / statistics & numerical data
  • Photography / methods*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Travel Medicine / methods