Efficacy of face mask in preventing respiratory virus transmission: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Conflicting recommendations exist related to whether masks have a protective effect on the spread of respiratory viruses. Results:A total of 21 studies met our inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses suggest that mask use provided a significant protective effect (OR = 0.35 and 95% CI = 0.24-0.51). Use of masks by healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-healthcare workers (Non-HCWs) can reduce the risk of respiratory virus infection by 80% (OR = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.11-0.37) and 47% (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.36-0.79). The protective effect of wearing masks in Asia (OR = 0.31) appeared to be higher than that of Western countries (OR = 0.45). Masks had a protective effect against influenza viruses (OR = 0.55), SARS (OR = 0.26), and SARS-CoV-2 (OR = 0.04). In the subgroups based on different study designs, protective effects of wearing mask were significant in cluster randomized trials, case-control studies and retrospective studies. Conclusions:This study adds additional evidence of the enhanced protective value of masks,

<p>Healthcare Worker’s Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Proper Face Mask Utilization, and Associated Factors in Police Health Facilities of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia</p>

“…A systematic review and meta-analysis conducted to assess the efficacy of face mask in preventing respiratory virus transmission were showed that the proper use of masks by healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers can reduce the risk of respiratory virus infection by 80%. 17 But, in the current study, the magnitude of proper face mask utilization in the study area was 33.3%. This is almost in line with the study conducted at Dessie referral hospital, Northeast Ethiopia which was reported as 35.1% of the health professionals were wore a face mask when handling TB suspected patients only 18 and with the study conducted in Pakistan which was 35.2 of the healthcare workers wear face mask correctly.…”

Waste in covid-19 research

“…The large number of registered trials evaluating hydroxychloroquine is one illustration, but waste is also occurring in other types of research. At least five systematic reviews of face masks for people in the community have occurred in parallel 89101112…”

<p>COVID-19 and Obesity: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis and Treatment</p>

“…8 It has been confirmed that face masks and eye gear protects against the spread of COVID-19. 9,10 Social distancing and frequent hand hygiene are also beneficial for disease prevention. 11 According to the World Health Organization (WHO), people of all ages are generally susceptible to this virus.…”

“…Recently, it was reported that Ribavirin, in combination with IFN-α2b, suppresses the progression and improves the clinical outcome of MERS in rhesus macaque model. 73 In a clinical trial, COVID-19 patients who received a combination of interferon beta-1b, lopinavirritonavir, and ribavirin presented less median time from beginning of study treatment to recover (7 days [IQR 5-11]) than those who received lopinavir-ritonavir alone (12 days [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]). 74 This suggests a combination of interferon beta-1b and ribavirin may be beneficial in the treatment of COVID-19.…”