Effects of wearing face masks during COVID- 19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Study

##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.sidebar##

Published Oct 5, 2022
Download
PDF
Statistic

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Vol. 5 No. 05 (2022): International Journal of Medical Science in Clinical Research and Review

##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.main##

Shreeya Vinay Kulkarni
Professor, Department of ENT, Dr Vasantrao Pawar Medical College Hospital & Research Centre Nashik
Rushika Patel
Chaitanya Bharadwaj
Ojas Vinay Kulkarni
Aishwarya Kulkarni

Abstract

COVID-19 Pandemic made it mandatory to change the way we live. Along with other COVID Appropriate Behavior, wearing a mask has become the ‘new-normal’ lifestyle. This cross-sectional study aims at having an insight on the effects of wearing a mask in a general population, including all professions and involving global citizenry. A questionnaire of 27 inquiries was circulated via online platform ‘Google Forms’ all across the globe. No age bar, no professional predisposition, no boundaries of country were in place for obtaining the data. Received 1380 responses across the world (691 male and 689 female participants), data analyzed for various health affections due to use of masks. The period of study was from January 2021 to April 2021 (4 months). It was observed that maximum people complained about suffocation and fogging of spectacles (52%). Followed by Pain behind the ears (39%) and marks left on the nose due to mask (21%). Rash on face and itching and headache was observed in approximately 10%. Dryness of mouth and nose was observed in 9%. After mask use, 78% (120) participants confirmed that their allergy/asthma symptoms have been reduced. Acceptance of masks as a new normal by general population based on Likert Scale (1 – 5) comfort level. 14% people were uncomfortable using mask, 35% were neutral regarding mask, and 55% accepted the change of wearing mask.

##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.details##

Author Biographies

Rushika Patel

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Associate Professor

Chaitanya Bharadwaj

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Associate Professor

Ojas Vinay Kulkarni

MBBS

Aishwarya Kulkarni

MDS

How to Cite
Kulkarni, S. V., Patel, R., Bharadwaj, C., Kulkarni, O. V., & Kulkarni, A. (2022). Effects of wearing face masks during COVID- 19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Study. International Journal of Medical Science in Clinical Research and Review, 5(05), Page: 751–759. Retrieved from http://ijmscrr.in/index.php/ijmscrr/article/view/324

References

    1. Clapp, P. W., Sickbert-Bennett, E. E., Samet, J. M., Berntsen, J., Zeman, K. L., Anderson, D. J., … Bennett, W. D. (2021). Evaluation of Cloth Masks and Modified Procedure Masks as Personal Protective Equipment for the Public during the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA Internal Medicine, 181(4), 463–469. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.8168
    2. Cotrin, P., Bahls, A. C., da Silva, D. de O., Pereira Girão, V. M., Maio Pinzan-Vercelino, C. R., de Oliveira, R. C. G., … Freitas, K. M. S. (2020). The use of facemasks during the COVID-19 pandemic by the Brazilian population. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 13, 1169–1178. https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S281524
    3. Dror, A. A., Eisenbach, N., Marshak, T., Layous, E., Zigron, A., Shivatzki, S., … Sela, E. (2020). Reduction of allergic rhinitis symptoms with face mask usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, 8(10), 3590–3593. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2020.08.035
    4. DuBois, A. B., Harb, Z. F., & Fox, S. H. (1990). Thermal discomfort of respiratory protective devices. American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, 51(10), 550–554. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298669091370086
    5. Feng, S., Shen, C., Xia, N., Song, W., Fan, M., & Cowling, B. J. (2020). Rational use of face masks in the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, 8(5), 434–436. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30134-X
    6. Galanti, T., Guidetti, G., Mazzei, E., Zappalà, S., & Toscano, F. (2021). Work from home during the COVID-19 outbreak: The impact on employees’ remote work productivity, engagement, and stress. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 63(7), E426–E432. https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000002236
    7. Gupta, M., Singh, A., & Gupta, M. (2020). An Otorhinolaryngologists Perspective on Using Face Masks by Health Care Professionals Based on an Online Survey. Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-020-02248-3
    8. Hu, K., Fan, J., Li, X., Gou, X., Li, X., & Zhou, X. (2020). The adverse skin reactions of health care workers using personal protective equipment for COVID-19. Medicine, 99(24), e20603. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000020603
    9. İnan Doğan, E., & Kaya, F. (2021). Dermatological findings in patients admitting to dermatology clinic after using face masks during Covid-19 pandemia: A new health problem. Dermatologic Therapy, 34(3), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1111/dth.14934
    10. Krajewska, J., Krajewski, W., Zub, K., & Zatoński, T. (2020). COVID-19 in otolaryngologist practice: a review of current knowledge. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 277(7), 1885–1897. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-020-05968-y
    11. Li, T., Liu, Y., Li, M., Qian, X., & Dai, S. Y. (2020). Mask or no mask for COVID-19: A public health and market study. PLoS ONE, 15(8 August), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0237691
    12. Li, Y., Liang, M., Gao, L., Ayaz Ahmed, M., Uy, J. P., Cheng, C., … Sun, C. (2021). Face masks to prevent transmission of COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Infection Control, 49(7), 900–906. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2020.12.007
    13. Purushothaman, P. K., Priyangha, E., & Vaidhyswaran, R. (2020). Effects of Prolonged Use of Facemask on Healthcare Workers in Tertiary Care Hospital During COVID-19 Pandemic. Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 73(1), 59–65. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-020-02124-0
    14. Roberge, R. J., Kim, J. H., & Benson, S. M. (2012). Absence of consequential changes in physiological, thermal and subjective responses from wearing a surgical mask. Respiratory Physiology and Neurobiology, 181(1), 29–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resp.2012.01.010
    15. Sohrabi, C., Alsafi, Z., O’Neill, N., Khan, M., Kerwan, A., Al-Jabir, A., … Agha, R. (2020). World Health Organization declares global emergency: A review of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). International Journal of Surgery, 76(February), 71–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2020.02.034
    16. Szepietowski, J. C., Matusiak, Ł., Szepietowska, M., Krajewski, P. K., & Białynicki-Birula, R. (2020). Face mask-induced itch: A self-questionnaire study of 2,315 responders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Acta Dermato-Venereologica, 100(10), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-3536
    17. Tanisali, G., Sozak, A., Bulut, A. S., Sander, T. Z., Dogan, O., Dağ, Ç., … Ergonul, O. (2021). Effectiveness of different types of mask in aerosol dispersion in SARS-CoV-2 infection. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 109, 310–314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2021.06.029
    18. Techasatian, L., Lebsing, S., Uppala, R., Thaowandee, W., Chaiyarit, J., Supakunpinyo, C., … Kosalaraksa, P. (2020). The Effects of the Face Mask on the Skin Underneath: A Prospective Survey During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Primary Care and Community Health, 11. https://doi.org/10.1177/2150132720966167
    19. Toksoy, C. K., Demirbaş, H., Bozkurt, E., Acar, H., & Börü, Ü. T. (2021). Headache related to mask use of healthcare workers in COVID-19 pandemic. Korean Journal of Pain, 34(2), 241–245. https://doi.org/10.3344/KJP.2021.34.2.241
    20. Tsang, H. F., Chan, L. W. C., Cho, W. C. S., Yu, A. C. S., Yim, A. K. Y., Chan, A. K. C., … Wong, S. C. C. (2021). An update on COVID-19 pandemic: the epidemiology, pathogenesis, prevention and treatment strategies. Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy, 19(7), 877–888. https://doi.org/10.1080/14787210.2021.1863146
    21. Wang, J., Pan, L., Tang, S., Ji, J. S., & Shi, X. (2020). Mask use during COVID-19: A risk adjusted strategy. Environmental Pollution, 266, 115099. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115099