INTRODUCTION
respiratory illness, sneeze, cough
EVENTS, VIRUS
COVID-19, a potentially severe, life-threatening respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, spread rapidly around the world in 2020, with the pandemic continuing today. The primary mode of virus transmission is via infectious aerosols generated when infected individuals exhale, speak, sing, cough, and sneeze.With improved understanding of SARS-CoV-2 modes of transmission and classification of high-risk activities, it is increasingly clear that “superspreading” events with large crowds, particularly those occurring indoors and when face masks are not worn, facilitate transmission.Like nearly all countries around the world, Zambia, located in southern Africa, has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the first case was confirmed in Zambia on March 18, 2020,While the epidemic in Zambia was initially concentrated in the capital city, Lusaka, transmission has become more widespread. For Zambia, as in much of sub-Saharan Africa, potential superspreading events include church services held indoors or in tents with poor ventilation, funeral services, and other community gatherings. Using quantitative data collected from August 2020 through September 2021 among caregivers participating in an ongoing study, we explored attendance at superspreading events, as well as personal and perceived mask use among female caregivers in remote, rural Zambian communities.