PropertyValue
?:abstract
  • BACKGROUND: Evidence for face-mask wearing in the community to protect against respiratory disease is unclear. AIM: To assess effectiveness of wearing face masks in the community to prevent respiratory disease, and recommend improvements to this evidence base. METHODS: We systematically searched Scopus, Embase and MEDLINE for studies evaluating respiratory disease incidence after face-mask wearing (or not). Narrative synthesis and random-effects meta-analysis of attack rates for primary and secondary prevention were performed, subgrouped by design, setting, face barrier type, and who wore the mask. Preferred outcome was influenza-like illness. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) quality assessment was undertaken and evidence base deficits described. RESULTS: 33 studies (12 randomised control trials (RCTs)) were included. Mask wearing reduced primary infection by 6% (odds ratio (OR): 0.94; 95% CI: 0.75–1.19 for RCTs) to 61% (OR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.32–2.27; OR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.18–0.84 and OR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.45–0.85 for cohort, case–control and cross-sectional studies respectively). RCTs suggested lowest secondary attack rates when both well and ill household members wore masks (OR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.48–1.37). While RCTs might underestimate effects due to poor compliance and controls wearing masks, observational studies likely overestimate effects, as mask wearing might be associated with other risk-averse behaviours. GRADE was low or very low quality. CONCLUSION: Wearing face masks may reduce primary respiratory infection risk, probably by 6–15%. It is important to balance evidence from RCTs and observational studies when their conclusions widely differ and both are at risk of significant bias. COVID-19-specific studies are required.
is ?:annotates of
?:creator
?:doi
?:doi
  • 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2020.25.49.2000725
?:journal
  • Euro_Surveill
?:license
  • cc-by
?:pdf_json_files
  • document_parses/pdf_json/218578485199196994f4757db9c6a7011c37ada7.json; document_parses/pdf_json/de8fe557a269f0c61a3434e023d68485368deb1f.json
?:pmc_json_files
  • document_parses/pmc_json/PMC7730486.xml.json
?:pmcid
?:pmid
?:pmid
  • 33303066.0
?:publication_isRelatedTo_Disease
?:sha_id
?:source
  • Medline; PMC
?:title
  • Community use of face masks and similar barriers to prevent respiratory illness such as COVID-19: a rapid scoping review
?:type
?:year
  • 2020-12-10

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