Clinical Audit on Symptomatology of Covid-19 Healthcare Workers and Impact on Quality-of-Life (QOL) Due to Continuous Facemask Usage: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Covid-19 due to Sars-Cov-2 infection has reached pandemic proportion. Many healthcare workers are involved in managing both COVID-suspected and confirmed cases. It is mandatory for healthcare workers to have droplet and contact precautions by means of Personal protective equipment (PPE), facemask, face shield or eye protection. Prolonged usage of medical mask results in various adverse effects. This study is an attempt to know the common effects of prolonged face mask in healthcare workers and its resultant quality-of-life (QOL). To study the common effects of prolonged face mask and its impact on QOL of healthcare workers during the COVID 19 crisis. This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted over 6 months among 2750 healthcare workers. A questionnaire requesting demographic details and most common side effects after prolonged usage of face mask was circulated. We also attached a short form-12 (sf-12) questionnaire to assess its impact on QOL. Out of 2750 personnel, 299 were excluded. Male preponderance was noted. Study was conducted on candidates using 3ply mask or above. Age range was between 18 and 65 years with mean age being 37.61 ± 15.23 in mask users < 5 h per day, 32.2 ± 10.02 in 5–10 h group and 30.19 ± 8.15 in 10 h group. 8.48% (n = 174) had comorbidities. QOL impacted. The complaints with face mask use definitely are troublesome with increase in severity with duration of mask usage. This definitely has a proportional impact on the healthcare workers’ QOL.

Important Repercussions of the COVID-19 Pandemic Lifestyle Avoided by Researchers? Face Masks and Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Search and Review

“…There are also multiple reports regarding mask-induced dermatological problems. Acne is the most prevalent problem associated with mask use [23,24,[39][40][41][42], but it can also reduce the general condition of the skin [24,43] or induce itch [25,44,45], which contributes to overall discomfort that exists during mask use [31,46,47]. Face masks can increase transepidermal water loss, as well as skin hydration, erythema, pH, and sebum secretion, which all can contribute to worse skin condition [48].…”

Pandemic management impacts Slovak health care workers’ quality of life during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Moreover, HCWs had no possibility to take time off, vacation, resign or refuse redeployment [ 26 , 31 , 36 ]. Regarding health care provision, the use of PPE could have caused dehydration, overheating, discomfort, pain or worse communication [ 21 , 25 , 32 ]. They reported consternation about frequent changes in PPE, not having proper breaks (“wobble” rooms) and even struggling with a lack of hospital beds for patients.…”