Surgical mask usage effects: a self-questionnaire study of 7.014 responders during the COVID-19 pandemic
Abstract
Objective: WHO has advised to conduct research the adverse consequences of surgical mask use in the community. This study aimed to determine the effects of surgical mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: This descriptive study was conducted with 7014 respondents from 81 provinces of Turkey between August and November 2021. In the collection of data, a form on socio demographic characteristics, knowledge level questionnaire on surgical mask use, surgical mask usage characteristics questionnaire, and questionnaire on symptoms related to surgical mask use were used. In the analysis of the data, number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Chi-square, and logistic regression analysis were used.
Results: The mean age of the respondents was 33.1±12.5 years, 54.8% of whom were women. 42.4% of the respondents stated that they felt protected by the mask and 69.7% of them stated that they had problems with the use of masks. The mean score of the respondents’ knowledge questionnaire regarding the use of surgical masks was found to be 5.33 ± 1.88. The mean symptom score of the respondents after the use of surgical masks was 2.57±2.67. During mask use, respiratory symptoms were seen most commonly, by 72.9% of the respondents. There was a significant relationship between male gender, chronic disease, not washing hands after contact with masks, removing masks in public enviroment, having spare masks, and symptoms after surgical mask use (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Hand contact with the mask, and not washing the hands afterwards, removing the surgical mask were modifiable factors that increase the risk.
Keywords
Supporting Institution
Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University Scientific Research Projects Commission
Project Number
21.GENEL.008
Thanks
We would like to thank everyone who participated in the study.
References
- WHO- Mask use in the context of COVID-19. [Internet]. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/advice-on-the-use-of-masks-in-the-community-during-home-care-and-in-healthcare-settings-in-the-context-of-the-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)-outbreak Accessed September 155,2022
- T.R. Ministry of Health, 2022. Bakan Koca, Koronavirüse İlişkin Son Durumu Değerlendirdi. T.C. Saglik Bakanligi. [Internet]. Avaible at: https://www.saglik.gov.tr/TR,65032/bakan-koca-koronaviruse-iliskin-son-durumu-degerlendirdi.html Accessed September 15,2022
- Zheng R, Zhou Y, Fu Y, et al. Prevalence and associated factors of depression and anxiety among nurses during the outbreak of COVID-19 in China: A cross-sectional study. Int J Nurs Stud. 2021;114(2021):1–8.
- WHO. WHO- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: When and how to use masks [Internet]. Available at: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks Accessed October 25,2022
- Howard J, Huang A, Li Z, et al. An evidence review of face masks against COVID-19. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2021;118(4):1–12.
- MacIntyre CR, Dwyer D, Seale H, et al. The first randomized, controlled clinical trial of mask use in households to prevent respiratory virus transmission. Int J Infect Dis. 2008;12(Supplement 1): e328.
- Teng JLL, Fok KMN, Lin KPK, et al. Substantial decline in ınvasive pneumococcal disease during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Hong Kong. Clin Infect Dis Off Publ Infect Dis Soc Am. 2022;74(2):335–8.
- WHO. WHO- Mask use in the context of COVID-19 [Internet]. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/advice-on-the-use-of-masks-in-the-community-during-home-care-and-in-healthcare-settings-in-the-context-of-the-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)-outbreak Accessed October 25,2022
- CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Masks and Respirators [Internet]. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/masks.html Accessed October 25,2022
- Anadolu Ajansı. Türkiye genelinde 25 ilde maske takma zorunluluğu getirildi [Internet]. Available at: https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/koronavirus/turkiye-genelinde-25-ilde-maske-takma-zorunlulugu-getirildi/1847514 Accessed October 25,2022