Developing prototypes of COVID-19 fullness facemask and testing its acceptance among youth in Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: In textile, fullness describes the shaping of a garment to aid fitting as well as enhance ease of use without compromising comfort. Within the context of this study, facemasks for preventing COVID-19 are expected to be easy to use while at the same time, ensuring that those who wear them feel comfortable. Despite this, limited studies exist on pattern drafting of facemasks with fullness as well as testing their acceptance.
Objectives: This study sought to: identify prototypes of fullness that can be utilized to make facemask; develop patterns and sew facemask with fullness; and determine the extent to which the developed facemask is accepted and used.
Methodology: Research and development (R&D) design was adopted for the study while two instruments were utilized for data collection. Quantitative method of data analysis was used to analyze the data collected while results were presented in tables.
Results: The result of the study showed that the prototypes of fullness which can be applied in making facemask include: dart, tucks, gathers, pleats, and circular. Additionally, the researchers developed 350 prototypes from each of the fullness facemasks and these were shared to youths with the hedonic scale tests to check their level of acceptance and use of the facemasks. The result shows that the level of acceptance was as follows: facemask with circular fullness (M=3.6; SD=.98), tucks (M=3.5; SD=.56), gathers (M=3.5; SD=.67), pleats (M=3.4; SD=.64), and dart (M=3.3; SD=.54) respectively.
Unique contribution: This work has bridged the gap between disposable facemask and facemask sewn with fullness. This is because the facemask sewn with fullness gives room for: reuse, fitting, ease of use, and gives comfort to the wearer.
Conclusion: Facemasks that meet the needs of youth is likely to be accepted than those that do not meet their design, comfort, and ease of use needs.
Key  recommendation: As part of efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, facemasks should be designed in a manner that will meet the design needs of the target users without compromising their comfort.