The Effect of Wearing the Veil by Saudi Ladies on the Occurrence of Respiratory Diseases

Ahmad, El Fateh E. M.; Mohammed, Mustafa; Rayes, Abdullah A. Al; Qahtani, Ali Al; Elzubier, Ahmed G.; Suliman, Faisal A.

doi:10.1081/jas-100001497

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…However, we still do not understand the extent to which ocular microbiota will change nor its consequences. An increase in common cold and asthma has been noted among niqabs (facial cloth veils) wearers versus non-veil wearers [ 23 ]. Multiple questions have arisen in this regard, particularly about the microbial subpopulations along the inner and outer surfaces of a mask, as they may be critical in developing a dysbiotic microbiome [ 24 ].…”

Section: Possible Underlying Pathophysiological Mechanismsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Face mask use and effects on the ocular surface health: A comprehensive review

et al. 2023

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Section: Possible Underlying Pathophysiological Mechanismsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Face mask use and effects on the ocular surface health: A comprehensive review

et al. 2023

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“…In a pre-COVID cross-sectional study on 710 individuals, the wearing (for religious reasons) of cloth facial coverings by Saudi women, drawn from the general population, was associated with statistically increased incidences of 'common cold' and asthma [18]. Elsewhere, pathophysiological skin changes [129] were associated with mask wearing in the general population and healthcare workers [130,131].…”

Section: Face Mask Contaminationpotential Clinical Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This raises reasonable concerns: first, because use by the general population is associated with a higher risk of improper handling of the mask [7][8][9][10][11]; secondly because their efficacy against respiratory viral infections is unproven by high quality trials, which indicate little or no effect [12][13][14] and thirdly, because masks are assumed only to have positive effects [15][16][17]. In reality there is strong evidence that masks pose various risks, especially for pregnant women, children and adolescents, as well as older adults and the unwell [15,[17][18][19][20]. They have several demonstrably adverse effects, affecting physiology [15,17,[20][21][22][23][24], psychology [17,25] and, most obviously, social interactions [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Bacterial Burden of Worn Face Masks – Observational Research and Literature Review

Kisielinski,

Wojtasik,

Zalewska

et al. 2023

Preprint

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We investigated and quantified bacterial accumulation in facemasks used by the general population, using 16S rRNA (Sanger Sequencing), culture and biochemical analysis along with Rose Bengal staining. Additionally, a systematic overview of the literature on face mask contamination was undertaken. We found an average bacterial load of 4.24 × 104 CFU recovered/mask, with a maximum load of 2.85 × 105 CFU. This maximum is 310 times higher than the limit value for contamination of ventilation system outlet surfaces specified by the German standard VDI 6022. Biochemical and molecular identification predominantly found Staphylococcus species (80%), including Staphylococcus aureus, along with endospore-forming Bacillus spp. Literature reports also indicate contamination of masks by bacterial and fungal opportunists of the genera Acinetobacter, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Bacillus, Cadosporium, Candida, Escherichia, Enterobacter, Enterococcus, Klebsiella (including K. pneumoniae), Micrococcus, Microsporum, Mucor, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. Bacterial counts increase linearly with wearing duration, and prolonged use may affect the skin and respiratory microbiomes, promoting consequential eye, skin, oral and airway conditions. These aspects underscore the urgent need for further research and a risk-benefit analysis in respect of mask use, particularly given their unproven efficacy in disrupting the transmission of respiratory viruses and their adverse social consequences.

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“…The long-term use of traditional niqab can adversely affect the functional vital capacity and the fractional expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) among Saudi adult females (Alghadir, Aly, & Zafar, 2012). Respiratory infections and asthma were significantly more common among veils users (p < 0.00001 and p < 0.0003, respectively, probably secondary to infection (Ahmad et al, 2001). Discomfort levels increase with duration of time wearing masks and nasal resistance increases upon removal of an N-95 mask or a surgical facemask, potentially due to nasal physiological changes (Zhu, Lee, Wang, & Lee, 2014).…”

Section: Masksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding SARSCOV-2 propagation, impacting factors to derive possible scenarios and simulations

Mehl‐Madrona

Bricaire²,

A³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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We aimed to analyze factors impacting the Covid-19 epidemic on a macro level, comparing multiple countries across the world and verifying the occurrence at a micro level through cluster analysis. The severity of the epidemic was most strongly related to exposure to ultraviolet light and extrapolated levels of vitamin D and to the health of the population, especially with regards to obesity. We found no county with an obesity level < 8% with a severe epidemic. We also found that countries where the population benefited from sun exposure or vitamin D supplementation and spent time outside fared well. Factors related to increased propagation of the virus included the use of heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), population density, poorly aerated gatherings, relative humidity, timely policies of closing clustering places until aeration was improved, and daily amount of ridership on public transportation, especially subways. Population lockdowns, masks, and blood type did not provide much explanatory power. Contact tracing was not analyzed as very few countries applied it for long enough. The excess mortality observed is within the ranges of severe past influenza epidemics of 2016/2017 or 1999/2000 and lower than older severe influenza epidemics of the 1940s or 1970s. We estimated that COVID mortality death counts in European countries is over estimated when taking into account excess mortality further confirming the important role of comorbidities independently of lockdown policy. A few countries observed an under-mortality despite of some deaths counts attributed to COVID-19. Treatments or vaccines should protect the fraction of the population that is not suffering from severe comorbidities. Our study suggested that prevention measures should be directed to improving aeration systems, enhancing diets and exercise, and ensuring adequate levels of vitamin D. Prevention measures and attention should be paid to anxiety resulting from this episode which may be associated with increases in obesity, addictions, vitamin D deficiency, depression, suicide, and hunger ultimately weakening population resiliency.

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The Effect of Wearing the Veil by Saudi Ladies on the Occurrence of Respiratory Diseases

Cited by 10 publications

References 11 publications

Face mask use and effects on the ocular surface health: A comprehensive review

Face mask use and effects on the ocular surface health: A comprehensive review

The Bacterial Burden of Worn Face Masks – Observational Research and Literature Review

Understanding SARSCOV-2 propagation, impacting factors to derive possible scenarios and simulations

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