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The Journal of School Health Nov 2023Universal masking, with additional layered prevention strategies, was an essential tool for limiting the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and ensuring a safe return to...
BACKGROUND
Universal masking, with additional layered prevention strategies, was an essential tool for limiting the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and ensuring a safe return to in-person learning for kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) students and staff. Few studies have examined mask adherence in this setting and none have described types of masks worn or locations of mask adherence. This project sought to assess mask adherence, types worn, and location of mask adherence in K-12 settings.
METHODS
This study used direct in-person observations to measure the proportion of persons wearing masks correctly; type of masks worn; and location of mask adherence in 19 K-12 schools in Georgia.
RESULTS
A total of 16,222 observations were conducted. Among those observed, 85.2% wore masks, with 80.3% wearing the mask correctly. Persons in high school were less likely to wear masks correctly. Correct mask use was most often observed among persons wearing N95-type masks. The prevalence of persons wearing masks correctly in transitional spaces was 5% higher than in congregate spaces.
CONCLUSION
In K-12 schools with a universal masking policy, correct mask adherence was high among individuals. Examining adherence to recommended prevention measures can provide K-12 schools feedback to inform targeted messaging and policies during future disease outbreaks.
Topics: Humans; Georgia; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Schools; Educational Status
PubMed: 37309093
DOI: 10.1111/josh.13347 -
International Journal of Applied &... 2023The purpose of this study was to evaluate face mask-associated factors causing dry eye among medical students.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate face mask-associated factors causing dry eye among medical students.
METHODOLOGY
This was a cross-sectional study conducted on undergraduate medical and dental students, of all phases, while they were attending offline classes and were required to wear face masks in accordance with the government regulations. Sociodemographic data, ocular and medical history, face mask-wearing practices, screen usage, and quantification of symptoms using the modified Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire were collected. Objective tests were conducted in students having dry eye. The association of quantitative variables was done using ANOVA, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis test, whereas the Chi-square test was done for qualitative variables. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the risk factors for varying severity of dry eye.
RESULTS
The mean age of the 410 students was 21 ± 1.6 years. According to the OSDI, 39.51% (162/410) of students had dry eyes, 23.41% (96/410) had mild dry eye, 8.78% (36/410) had moderate dry eye, and 7.32% (30/410) had severe dry eye. Face mask-associated factors which were significantly linked to dry eye were N95 masks, loose-fit masks, and 6-8 h of continuous mask use. The Schirmer's test and tear film break-up time were performed on 29 and 20 students, respectively, mean values being 19.25 ± 5.29 mm and 10.15 ± 1.41 s for nonsevere and 6.53 ± 1.55 mm and 5.3 ± 0.98 s for severe dry eye, respectively.
CONCLUSION
It is important to educate medical students and create awareness regarding "face mask-appropriate behavior" to reduce the chances of dry eye secondary to face masks use.
PubMed: 38229728
DOI: 10.4103/ijabmr.ijabmr_366_23 -
Journal of Medical Internet Research Nov 2023Lockdowns and border closures due to COVID-19 imposed mental, social, and financial hardships in many societies. Living with the virus and resuming normal life are...
Lockdowns and border closures due to COVID-19 imposed mental, social, and financial hardships in many societies. Living with the virus and resuming normal life are increasingly being advocated due to decreasing virus severity and widespread vaccine coverage. However, current trends indicate a continued absence of effective contingency plans to stop the next more virulent variant of the pandemic. The COVID-19-related mask waste crisis has also caused serious environmental problems and virus spreads. It is timely and important to consider how to precisely implement surveillance for the dynamic clearance of COVID-19 and how to efficiently manage discarded masks to minimize disease transmission and environmental hazards. In this viewpoint, we sought to address this issue by proposing an appropriate strategy for intelligent surveillance of infected cases and centralized management of mask waste. Such an intelligent strategy against COVID-19, consisting of wearable mask sample collectors (masklect) and voiceprints and based on the STRONG (Spatiotemporal Reporting Over Network and GPS) strategy, could enable the resumption of social activities and economic recovery and ensure a safe public health environment sustainably.
Topics: Humans; SARS-CoV-2; Masks; COVID-19; Public Health
PubMed: 37856760
DOI: 10.2196/44795 -
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor... Apr 2024To analyze the portrayal of dentists in films, 259 films from the period 1907 - 2018 featuring one or more dentists, were systematically analyzed. A total of 333...
To analyze the portrayal of dentists in films, 259 films from the period 1907 - 2018 featuring one or more dentists, were systematically analyzed. A total of 333 dentists were identified, mostly of Caucasian origin (85%) and male (86%). 228 dentists depicted dental procedures, sometimes using gloves (41%), (splash) glasses (35%), and mouth masks (24%). The depicted dental procedures mainly consist of the use of pocket probes and mirrors (46%), drilling/filling (31%), and extractions (25%). Furthermore, dentists in films are relatively often involved in negative activities such as physical violence (29%) and sexual offences (18%). In 16 films (6%), dentists murdered people. Although there is no single stereotypical portrayal of dentists in films, the overall picture seems to need improvement as it is not contributing to the reputation of the dental profession.
Topics: Humans; Male; Dentists; Masks
PubMed: 38597461
DOI: 10.5177/ntvt.2024.04.23078 -
Scientific Reports Dec 2023People readily make inferences about trait-like characteristics of another person's face. Since the recent global COVID-19 pandemic, the widespread use of hygienic face...
People readily make inferences about trait-like characteristics of another person's face. Since the recent global COVID-19 pandemic, the widespread use of hygienic face masks has led to large proportions of the face being covered. We investigated the effect of face masks on the inference of prosocially relevant characteristics, namely cooperativeness and honesty. Portraits of participants of previous studies from which we knew their "true" prosocial tendencies served as stimuli. These facial stimuli were presented once with and once without a hygienic face mask to 60 naïve participants who rated the faces for cooperativeness and honesty. Results revealed that wearing face masks made people generally appear more cooperative and more honest than without a mask, but that these ratings were unrelated to the true prosocial tendencies of these people. Together, these findings have important implications for social interactions, particularly in contexts where nonverbal communication is essential, such as in healthcare settings, job interviews, and social gatherings.
Topics: Humans; Pandemics; Brassicaceae; COVID-19; Cooperative Behavior; Health Facilities
PubMed: 38102181
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49127-9 -
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Dec 2023
Topics: Humans; Pandemics; COVID-19; Learning; Vaccination; Masks
PubMed: 38097251
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.p2943 -
Singapore Medical Journal Oct 2023Countries are mandating the use of face masks to stem the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Face mask use has been associated with discomfort due to its...
INTRODUCTION
Countries are mandating the use of face masks to stem the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Face mask use has been associated with discomfort due to its effects on thermoregulation, breathing and oxygenation. We evaluated the prevalence and severity of self-reported cardiovascular symptoms before and during face mask use.
METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study of 1,001 participants residing in Singapore, who participated in a self-administered questionnaire between 25 April 2020 and 4 May 2020. Symptom severity before and during mask use, and health-seeking behaviour information were collected. The study outcome was self-reported worsening of cardiovascular symptoms and its association with the type of mask worn, duration of mask worn per day, and intensity of physical activities during mask use.
RESULTS
The most common symptom reported during mask use was dyspnoea. Independent predictors for self-reported cardiovascular symptoms during mask use were moderate-high physical activity during mask use (odds ratio [OR] 1.634, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.176-2.270, P = 0.003), duration of mask use for ≥3 h (OR 1.672, 95% CI 1.189-2.352, P = 0.003) and type of mask used, after adjusting for age, sex, healthcare-based worker status and presence of comorbidities. N95 mask was associated with worse symptoms when compared to surgical mask. Participants with ≥3 worsening symptoms or worsening dyspnoea, palpitations, fatigue and dizziness were more likely to seek medical help.
CONCLUSION
Face mask use has been proven to be an effective way in curbing COVID-19 transmission. However, participants in this study had concerns regarding its use and these concerns should be urgently addressed to enable mask use policies to be enacted.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Pandemics; Masks; Self Report; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dyspnea
PubMed: 34600453
DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2021140 -
Intensive & Critical Care Nursing Apr 2024To assess the effect of different noninvasive ventilation interfaces on preventing the facial pressure injury. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of different noninvasive ventilation interfaces on preventing the facial pressure injury.
METHODS
This network meta-analysis was conducted following the PRISMA reporting guidelines. Seven electronic databases were systematically searched for randomised controlled trials about the comparative effectiveness of different interfaces in preventing facial pressure injury with noninvasive ventilation in adults and newborns from inception to June 2023. The acronym of PICOS was used and the keywords as well as inclusion/exclusion criteria were determined. Study selection and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers. The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool was used to assess the methodological quality.
RESULTS
A total of 78 randomised controlled trials involving 7,291 patients were included. The results of network meta-analysis showed that the effectiveness of the eight noninvasive ventilation interfaces on the prevention of facial pressure injury was in the order of: nasal cannula > full-face mask > rotation of nasal mask with nasal prongs > helmet > nasal mask > oronasal mask > nasal prongs > face mask. The use of full-face mask in adults and nasal cannula in newborns had the best effect on preventing the incidence of facial pressure injury.
CONCLUSIONS
The use of full-face mask in adults and nasal cannula in newborns had the most clinical advantage in preventing the incidence of facial pressure injury and were worthy promoting in clinical practice.
IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE
This study provides a certain theoretical basis for the selection of appropriate interface for patients with noninvasive ventilation. Clinical practitioners should choose the appropriate interfaces based on the patient's specific condition to reduce the incidence of facial pressure injury, enhance patient comfort, and improve the effectiveness of respiratory therapy.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Noninvasive Ventilation; Pressure Ulcer; Network Meta-Analysis; Masks; Incidence; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37977002
DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2023.103585 -
Nanotechnology Nov 2023Respiratory aerosols with diameters smaller than 100m have been confirmed as important vectors for the spread of diseases such as SARS-CoV-2. While disposable and cloth...
Respiratory aerosols with diameters smaller than 100m have been confirmed as important vectors for the spread of diseases such as SARS-CoV-2. While disposable and cloth masks afford some protection, they are typically inefficient at filtering these aerosols and require specialized fabrication devices to produce. We describe a fabrication technique that makes use of a folding procedure (origami) to transform any filtration material into a mask. These origami masks can be fabricated by non-experts at minimal cost and effort, provide adequate filtration efficiencies, and are easily scaled to different facial sizes. Using a mannequin fit test simulator, we demonstrate that these masks can provide filtration efficiencies of over 90% while simultaneously providing greater comfort as demonstrated by pressure drops of <20 Pa. We also quantify mask leakage by measuring the variations in filtration efficiency and pressure drop when masks are sealed to the mannequin face compared to when the mask is unsealed but positioned to achieve the best fit. While leakage generally trended with pressure drop, some of the best performing mask media achieved <10% reduction in filtration efficiency due to leakage. Because this mask can provide high filtration efficiencies at low pressure drop compared to commercial alternatives, it is likely to promote greater mask wearing tolerance and acceptance.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Filtration; Respiratory Aerosols and Droplets; SARS-CoV-2; Textiles; Masks
PubMed: 37625393
DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/acf3f3 -
Otolaryngologia Polska = the Polish... Oct 2023<b><br>Aim:</b> The aim of the study was to assess if wearing a face mask, hung from the ears, had an effect on the understanding of speech and the...
<b><br>Aim:</b> The aim of the study was to assess if wearing a face mask, hung from the ears, had an effect on the understanding of speech and the perception of surrounding sounds.</br> <b><br>Materials and Methods:</b> Assessment of auditory perception using verbal noise audiometry in two clinical conditions; without a face mask and with a face mask. To assess the auditory perception ability, two parameters were measured; word recognition score (WRS) and sound intensity at maximal WRS.</br> <b><br>Results:</b> Without wearing facial masks, the maximum values of WRS for the study group ranged from 75% to 100% with 52% of respondents achieved WRS 100%. While wearing face masks, the highest calculated WRS for the study group ranged from 80% to 100%, with 32% of individuals achieved WRS of 100%.</br> <b><br>Conclusion:</b> The wearing of face masks do not change the speech recognition scores. This may indicate a stronger role of psycho-sociological aspects of hearing difficulties during the Covid-19 pandemic.</br>.
Topics: Humans; Masks; Pandemics; Hearing; Auditory Perception; Personal Protective Equipment
PubMed: 38332708
DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0053.8592