Prevalence of face mask related complications among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia.

Autor: Binkhamis K; Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia., Alqarni YS; College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia., Alasheikh NA; College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia., Alzahrani NS; College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia., Alsubaie NA; College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia., Almezel SA; College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia., Awwad AW; College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Journal of infection in developing countries [J Infect Dev Ctries] 2024 Feb 29; Vol. 18 (2), pp. 211-218. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Feb 29.
DOI: 10.3855/jidc.18236
Abstrakt: Introduction: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, most healthcare workers (HCWs) were required to wear face masks for long periods of time. Since then, it has been shown that face masks have the potential to cause several physical adverse effects. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of face mask-related complications among HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, we compared the relationship between face mask usage with other variables, including the type of mask used and gender.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling, with a targeted sample of 517 participants (35% nonresponse). Data was collected via an electronic survey, the link for which was distributed through social media sites, such as WhatsApp and Twitter, to reach HCWs across Saudi Arabia. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software.
Results: Overall, 438 HCWs who wore N95 or surgical masks for 4 hours or more per day on average were recruited. Skin-related complications in the nasal area had the highest prevalence (342, 78.1%), followed by behind the ear area (333, 76.0%), cheeks (307, 70.1%), and chin (248, 56.6%). Other complications included headaches (226, 51.6%), and eye-related complications (211, 48.2%). All face mask-related complications, except for behind the ear skin complications, were more associated with female gender.
Conclusions: Mask usage was significantly associated with the development of headaches, and eye, and skin-related complications. Female HCWs were more predisposed to these complications. Preventative measures and awareness activities should be considered to help reduce mask use related complications.
Competing Interests: No Conflict of Interest is declared
(Copyright (c) 2024 Khalifa Binkhamis, Yasmin S Alqarni, Norah A Alasheikh, Najd S Alzahrani, Nouf A Alsubaie, Shahd A Almezel, Abeer W Awwad.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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