Objective  To examine mask use and its related factors during novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic among community residents in Sichuan province and to provide evidences for developing relevant interventions by the government.

  Methods  Using a self-designed questionnaire on mask use for disease prevention, we conducted an online survey among 1 118 randomly recruited community residents of Sichuan province during the outbreak of COVID-19 epidemic on February 21, 2020.

  Results  Among the 1 097 participants with valid response, 99.27% reported mask wearing when going out during the epidemic period. Of the mask users, 53.87% employed disposable surgical masks; 46.76% reported the awareness on wearing a mask correctly; 45.31% reported total use time of less than four hours for one mask; 76.58% reported putting a mask in a clean, dry and ventilated place for later use; 56.20% reported discarding the used masks into waste bins; and 66.73% reported purchasing the masks by themselves. The awareness on wearing a mask correctly and cumulative usage time of a mask differed significantly by gender, age and occupation of the respondents (all P < 0.05). The respondents being male, at younger ages, and being public service personnel reported a higher awareness rate of correct mask wearing and longer cumulative usage time of a mask. Age was a significant factor influencing the way for keeping a mask for later use and for discarding a used mask (both P < 0.05). The respondents being female, aged more than 31 but less than 61 years, and being employees of enterprises or public service institutions were more likely to report keeping a mask in a clean, dry and ventilated place for later use; whereas, the respondents being male and at elder ages were more likely to report discarding used masks into waste bins.

  Conclusion  During the period of novel coronavirus disease epidemic, the community residents in Sichuan province paid a great attention to wearing mask and acquiring information about wearing a mask correctly. But some groups of residents are still lack of knowledge related to usage of mask for disease prevention, suggesting that relevant health education needs to be promoted among the public.