The Effectiveness of Face Masks in Preventing COVID-19 Transmission: A Systematic Review.

Q3 Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics

Infectious disorders drug targets Pub Date : 2023-06-01 DOI:10.2174/1871526523666230601090905

SeyedAhmad SeyedAlinaghi, Amirali Karimi, Amir Masoud Afsahi, Pegah Mirzapour, Sanaz Varshochi, Hengameh Mojdeganlou, Paniz Mojdeganlou, Armin Razi, Sanam Alilou, Mohsen Dashti, Afsaneh Ghasemzadeh, Solmaz Saeidi, Esmaeil Mehraeen, Omid Dadras

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引用次数: 2

Abstract

Introduction: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks have been among the cornerstones of COVID-19 prevention. Therefore, evaluating their preventive effects against COVID-19 is crucial. This review aimed to systematically search for the systematic review articles that explored the role of various types of face masks in preventing COVID-19.

Methods: We browsed the keywords of this study in the online databases of Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane on 10th January 2023 and retrieved all the relevant systematic review articles. The records were downloaded into an Endnote file, and the duplicates were removed. A two-step screening process consisting of title/abstract and full-text screenings was conducted to select the most relevant articles. To ensure the validity and reliability of the results, this study adhered to the PRISMA protocol.

Results: A total of 28 systematic reviews were included in this review. Most studies found that face masks are beneficial against viral respiratory infections, such as COVID-19. Different types of masks were evaluated in included studies. It appeared that mask efficacy depends on the material, layers, fitting on the face and user compliance. N 95 respirator had maximum efficacy, especially when used continuously.

Conclusion: Face masks have a beneficial effect against COVID-19. Home masks are less protective than surgical masks or N95 personal breathing masks. Besides, the use of masks may elicit a false sense of security in people, which may lead to poor hand hygiene and violation of social distancing. Therefore, the necessary training should be provided to the public to increase awareness and encourage the right practice of using the mask, emphasizing the preventive effects of washing hands, social distancing, and using a face mask against COVID-19.

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口罩预防COVID-19传播效果的系统评价

自2019冠状病毒病大流行开始以来，口罩一直是预防COVID-19的基石之一。因此，评估它们对COVID-19的预防效果至关重要。本综述旨在系统检索探讨各类口罩在预防新冠肺炎中的作用的系统综述文章。方法:我们于2023年1月10日在Scopus、Web of Science、PubMed和Cochrane在线数据库中浏览本研究的关键词，检索所有相关的系统综述文章。记录被下载到Endnote文件中，重复的记录被删除。筛选过程分为两步，包括标题/摘要和全文筛选，以选择最相关的文章。为保证结果的效度和信度，本研究遵循PRISMA方案。结果:本综述共纳入28篇系统评价。大多数研究发现，口罩有助于预防COVID-19等病毒性呼吸道感染。在纳入的研究中评估了不同类型的口罩。结果显示，口罩的功效取决于材料、层数、与面部的贴合程度以及使用者的依从性。n95口罩的效果最好，特别是连续使用时。结论:口罩对预防COVID-19有有益作用。家用口罩的防护效果不如医用口罩或N95个人呼吸口罩。此外，使用口罩可能会让人们产生一种虚假的安全感，从而可能导致手卫生不佳和违反社交距离。因此，应向公众提供必要的培训，提高公众的认识，鼓励正确使用口罩，强调洗手、保持社交距离和使用口罩对COVID-19的预防作用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Infectious disorders drug targets Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics-Pharmacology

CiteScore

3.10

自引率

0.00%

发文量

123

期刊介绍： Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets aims to cover all the latest and outstanding developments on the medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology, genomics and biochemistry of contemporary molecular targets involved in infectious disorders e.g. disease specific proteins, receptors, enzymes, genes. Each issue of the journal contains a series of timely in-depth reviews written by leaders in the field covering a range of current topics on drug targets involved in infectious disorders. As the discovery, identification, characterization and validation of novel human drug targets for anti-infective drug discovery continues to grow, this journal will be essential reading for all pharmaceutical scientists involved in drug discovery and development.