Comfort rules for face masks among healthcare workers during COVID-19 spread.
Adult
COVID-19
/ prevention & control
Eye Diseases
/ etiology
Female
Guideline Adherence
Health Personnel
Humans
Lung Diseases
/ etiology
Male
Masks
/ adverse effects
Middle Aged
Nose Diseases
/ etiology
Occupational Diseases
/ etiology
Personal Protective Equipment
/ standards
Quality of Life
Surveys and Questionnaires
Work Performance
Allergic diseases
COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2
Type 2 immune
response
face mask
healthcare protection
Journal
Annali di igiene : medicina preventiva e di comunita
ISSN: 1120-9135
Titre abrégé: Ann Ig
Pays: Italy
ID NLM: 9002865
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Historique:
pubmed:
3
4
2021
medline:
20
8
2021
entrez:
2
4
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) made imperative the use of protective devices as a source control tool. As there is no definite antiviral treatment and effective vaccine, the only efficient means of protecting and mitigating infectious contagion has been the use of personal protective equipment, especially by healthcare workers. However, masks affect the humidification process of inhaled air, possibly leading to a basal inflammatory state of the upper airways. This is a single-center observational study conducted at the University Hospital of Catania from April 1, 2020, to June 31, 2020. We analyzed the role of protective masks on the elimination of upper airways complaints in healthcare workers of the University Hospital of Catania. We evaluated 277 subjects through a self-administered 17 item questionnaire based on respiratory, work performance and health-related quality of life domains. A higher prevalence of nasal and ocular symptoms, perceived reduced work performance, difficulty in concentrating, and sleep disorders were found. After two weeks adhering to a list of good practices that we recommended, significant reversibility of the symptoms investigated and work performance enhancement were observed. Despite clinical complaints related to personal protective equipment, effective amelioration through usage rules is easily obtained. Given the essential use of protective masks, healthcare workers have to adhere to appropriate work and safety prevention rules.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
The outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) made imperative the use of protective devices as a source control tool. As there is no definite antiviral treatment and effective vaccine, the only efficient means of protecting and mitigating infectious contagion has been the use of personal protective equipment, especially by healthcare workers. However, masks affect the humidification process of inhaled air, possibly leading to a basal inflammatory state of the upper airways.
STUDY DESIGN
METHODS
This is a single-center observational study conducted at the University Hospital of Catania from April 1, 2020, to June 31, 2020.
METHODS
METHODS
We analyzed the role of protective masks on the elimination of upper airways complaints in healthcare workers of the University Hospital of Catania. We evaluated 277 subjects through a self-administered 17 item questionnaire based on respiratory, work performance and health-related quality of life domains.
RESULTS
RESULTS
A higher prevalence of nasal and ocular symptoms, perceived reduced work performance, difficulty in concentrating, and sleep disorders were found. After two weeks adhering to a list of good practices that we recommended, significant reversibility of the symptoms investigated and work performance enhancement were observed.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Despite clinical complaints related to personal protective equipment, effective amelioration through usage rules is easily obtained. Given the essential use of protective masks, healthcare workers have to adhere to appropriate work and safety prevention rules.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33797548
doi: 10.7416/ai.2021.2439
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Observational Study
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM