Comfort and tolerability of protective face masks used by healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic

OpenAlex İngilizce

Introduction:The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus is transmitted by respiratory droplets, and all healthcare professionals (HCPs) have been required to use protective face masks during long working hours.However, the tolerability of different types of face masks varies and can lead to physical or psychological burden for wearer.This study aimed to determine the tolerability and symptoms of commonly used face masks among HCPs.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the COVID-19 areas of three academic emergency departments (EDs).HCPs, including physicians, nurses, and other personnel were included.The comfort and tolerability of surgical masks, filtering face piece-2 (FFP2), and FFP3 respirators and the symptoms experienced during the four-hour study period were evaluated hourly.The primary outcomes were the severity and duration of discomfort or symptoms experienced according to the type of mask used.Results: A total of 181 volunteer HCPs were included in the study.Dyspnea was the most common symptom.According to a seven-point Likert scale that measured the wearer's experience of symptoms, the severity of the first discomfort/symptom was two points on average, and the main discomfort/symptom that led to masking removal was four points.The median time for the appearance of discomfort/symptoms was 70 minutes for the single-layer surgical masks and 50 minutes for the FFP2 and FFP3 masks.Conclusion: Dyspnea and headache were the most common causes of intolerance to masks used by HCPs.Although statistical significance was not achieved, the duration of mask use was lower in those who used FFP2 and FFP3 masks.