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European Journal of Medical Research Jan 2021Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), belonging to the Coronaviridae family, is agent of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). COVID-19... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), belonging to the Coronaviridae family, is agent of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, Hubei province of China, in early December 2019 and is now considered a pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the airborne transmission of COVID-19 and the role of face mask to prevent it.
METHODS
A systematic search for English-language literature was done via PUBMED/Medline and Google Scholar up to October 2020. There was two search strategy; for airborne transmission and the role of face mask for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Based on a fixed and random effects model, the RR and 95% CI were used to evaluate the combined risk. This meta-analysis followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) Guidelines.
RESULTS
After eligibility assessment, four articles with a total of 7688 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The result of this meta-analysis has shown significant reduction in infection with face mask use; the pooled RR (95%CI) was 0.12 [0.06, 0.27] (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that there is association between face mask use and reduction of COVID-19. However, COVID-19 spreads primarily with contact routes and respiratory droplets, but its transmissibility has many mysteries yet and there is controversy about airborne transmission of COVID-19.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Masks; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33388089
DOI: 10.1186/s40001-020-00475-6 -
MSphere Oct 2020Guidelines from the CDC and the WHO recommend the wearing of face masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus (CoV) disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, the protective...
Guidelines from the CDC and the WHO recommend the wearing of face masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus (CoV) disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, the protective efficiency of such masks against airborne transmission of infectious severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2) droplets/aerosols is unknown. Here, we developed an airborne transmission simulator of infectious SARS-CoV-2-containing droplets/aerosols produced by human respiration and coughs and assessed the transmissibility of the infectious droplets/aerosols and the ability of various types of face masks to block the transmission. We found that cotton masks, surgical masks, and N95 masks all have a protective effect with respect to the transmission of infective droplets/aerosols of SARS-CoV-2 and that the protective efficiency was higher when masks were worn by a virus spreader. Importantly, medical masks (surgical masks and even N95 masks) were not able to completely block the transmission of virus droplets/aerosols even when completely sealed. Our data will help medical workers understand the proper use and performance of masks and determine whether they need additional equipment to protect themselves from infected patients. Airborne simulation experiments showed that cotton masks, surgical masks, and N95 masks provide some protection from the transmission of infective SARS-CoV-2 droplets/aerosols; however, medical masks (surgical masks and even N95 masks) could not completely block the transmission of virus droplets/aerosols even when sealed.
Topics: Aerosols; Air Microbiology; Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Coronavirus Infections; Health Personnel; Humans; Masks; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33087517
DOI: 10.1128/mSphere.00637-20 -
American Journal of Infection Control Jul 2021Based on the status of the COVID-19 global pandemic, there is an urgent need to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of wearing masks to protect public health from... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Based on the status of the COVID-19 global pandemic, there is an urgent need to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of wearing masks to protect public health from COVID-19 infection.
METHODS
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis statement was consulted to report this systematic review. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of using face masks to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Relevant articles were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP (Chinese) database. There were no language restrictions. This study was registered with PROSPERO under the number CRD42020211862.
RESULTS
A total of 6 studies were included, involving 4 countries, after a total of 5,178 eligible articles were searched in databases and references. In general, wearing a mask was associated with a significantly reduced risk of COVID-19 infection (OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.21-0.69, I = 54.1%). For the healthcare workers group, masks were shown to have a reduced risk of infection by nearly 70%. Sensitivity analysis showed that the results were robust.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis support the conclusion that wearing a mask could reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection. Robust randomized trials are needed in the future to better provide evidence for these interventions.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Masks; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33347937
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2020.12.007 -
Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine Oct 2023Opportunities to learn and maintain competence in neonatal intubation have decreased. As many clinicians providing care to the newborn infant are not skilled in... (Review)
Review
Opportunities to learn and maintain competence in neonatal intubation have decreased. As many clinicians providing care to the newborn infant are not skilled in intubation, alternative strategies are critical. Most preterm infants breathe spontaneously, and require stabilisation rather than resuscitation at birth. Use of tactile stimulation, deferred cord clamping, and avoidance of hypoxia can help optimise breathing for these infants. Nasal devices appear a promising alternative to the face mask for early provision of respiratory support. In term and near-term infants, supraglottic airways may be the most effective initial approach to resuscitation. Use of supraglottic airways during resuscitation can be taught to a range of providers, and may reduce need for intubation. While face mask ventilation is an important skill, it is challenging to perform effectively. Identification of the best approach to training the use of these devices during neonatal resuscitation remains an important priority.
Topics: Infant; Infant, Newborn; Humans; Intubation, Intratracheal; Infant, Premature; Resuscitation; Masks; Respiration
PubMed: 38000926
DOI: 10.1016/j.siny.2023.101488 -
Anaesthesia Jul 2019
Topics: Capnography; Laryngeal Masks; Respiration
PubMed: 31168811
DOI: 10.1111/anae.14712 -
Annals of Internal Medicine Mar 2021In their article, Bundgaard and colleagues report the results of a unique randomized controlled trial of masks in the community to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 infection. The...
In their article, Bundgaard and colleagues report the results of a unique randomized controlled trial of masks in the community to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 infection. The trial addresses the question of personal protection to mask wearers when others are not wearing masks and not the question of the effectiveness of widespread mask wearing in reducing community transmission. The editorialists discuss the findings and their concerns about the trial design.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Masks
PubMed: 33205992
DOI: 10.7326/M20-7499 -
PloS One 2021We extend previous studies on the impact of masks on COVID-19 outcomes by investigating an unprecedented breadth and depth of health outcomes, geographical resolutions,...
We extend previous studies on the impact of masks on COVID-19 outcomes by investigating an unprecedented breadth and depth of health outcomes, geographical resolutions, types of mask mandates, early versus later waves and controlling for other government interventions, mobility testing rate and weather. We show that mask mandates are associated with a statistically significant decrease in new cases (-3.55 per 100K), deaths (-0.13 per 100K), and the proportion of hospital admissions (-2.38 percentage points) up to 40 days after the introduction of mask mandates both at the state and county level. These effects are large, corresponding to 14% of the highest recorded number of cases, 13% of deaths, and 7% of admission proportion. We also find that mask mandates are linked to a 23.4 percentage point increase in mask adherence in four diverse states. Given the recent lifting of mandates, we estimate that the ending of mask mandates in these states is associated with a decrease of -3.19 percentage points in mask adherence and 12 per 100K (13% of the highest recorded number) of daily new cases with no significant effect on hospitalizations and deaths. Lastly, using a large novel survey dataset of 847 thousand responses in 69 countries, we introduce the novel results that community mask adherence and community attitudes towards masks are associated with a reduction in COVID-19 cases and deaths. Our results have policy implications for reinforcing the need to maintain and encourage mask-wearing by the public, especially in light of some states starting to remove their mask mandates.
Topics: Attitude to Health; COVID-19; Communicable Disease Control; Health Policy; Humans; Masks; Social Media; United States
PubMed: 34161332
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252315 -
Journal of General Internal Medicine Nov 2020
Topics: Humans; Masks
PubMed: 32909228
DOI: 10.1007/s11606-020-06095-4 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Aug 2023: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) provides positive pressure through different interfaces. A multifunctional full-face mask prototype was developed to provide NIV from... (Review)
Review
: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) provides positive pressure through different interfaces. A multifunctional full-face mask prototype was developed to provide NIV from three sources: ICU ventilators, portable ventilators, and high-flow medical gas pipeline systems. This study aimed to evaluate the usability of this prototype mask. : This was a quantitative experimental study, conducted in two phases: the development of a full-face mask prototype NIV interface, and the evaluation of its usability by health professionals (evaluators) using a heuristic approach. The Wolf Mask prototype is a multifunctional full-face mask that makes it possible to deliver positive pressure from three different sources: microprocessor-controlled ICU ventilators, portable ventilators with single-limb circuits, and high-flow medical gas. The evaluation was conducted in three stages: presentation of the prototype to the evaluators; skills testing via simulation in a clinical environment; and a review of skills. : The prototype was developed by a multidisciplinary team and patented in Brazil. The evaluators were 10 health professionals specializing in NIV. Seven skills related to handling the prototype were evaluated. Three of the ten evaluators called for (non-urgent) changes to improve recognition of the components of the prototype. Only one evaluator called for (non-urgent) changes to improve recognition of the pieces, assembly, and checking the mask. : The newly developed multifunctional full-face mask prototype demonstrated excellent usability for providing noninvasive ventilation from multiple sources. Minor modifications may further improve the design.
Topics: Noninvasive Ventilation; Masks; Respiration, Artificial; Brazil; Computer Simulation
PubMed: 37629700
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59081410 -
PloS One 2020Efficient strategies to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are peremptory to relieve the negatively impacted public health and global economy, with...
Efficient strategies to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are peremptory to relieve the negatively impacted public health and global economy, with the full scope yet to unfold. In the absence of highly effective drugs, vaccines, and abundant medical resources, many measures are used to manage the infection rate and avoid exhausting limited hospital resources. Wearing masks is among the non-pharmaceutical intervention (NPI) measures that could be effectively implemented at a minimum cost and without dramatically disrupting social practices. The mask-wearing guidelines vary significantly across countries. Regardless of the debates in the medical community and the global mask production shortage, more countries and regions are moving forward with recommendations or mandates to wear masks in public. Our study combines mathematical modeling and existing scientific evidence to evaluate the potential impact of the utilization of normal medical masks in public to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. We consider three key factors that contribute to the effectiveness of wearing a quality mask in reducing the transmission risk, including the mask aerosol reduction rate, mask population coverage, and mask availability. We first simulate the impact of these three factors on the virus reproduction number and infection attack rate in a general population. Using the intervened viral transmission route by wearing a mask, we further model the impact of mask-wearing on the epidemic curve with increasing mask awareness and availability. Our study indicates that wearing a face mask can be effectively combined with social distancing to flatten the epidemic curve. Wearing a mask presents a rational way to implement as an NPI to combat COVID-19. We recognize our study provides a projection based only on currently available data and estimates potential probabilities. As such, our model warrants further validation studies.
Topics: Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Coronavirus Infections; Disease Transmission, Infectious; Humans; Infection Control; Masks; Models, Theoretical; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 32797067
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237691