Open AccessRational use of face mask in a tertiary care hospital setting during COVID-19 pandemic: An observational study
Author(s) -
Sakshi Supehia,
Vanya Singh,
Twinkle Sharma,
Meenakshi Khapre,
Puneet Kumar Gupta
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
indian journal of public health/indian journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.381
H-Index - 26
eISSN - 2229-7693
pISSN - 0019-557X
DOI - 10.4103/ijph.ijph_493_20
Subject(s) - observational study , checklist , pandemic , medicine , covid-19 , health care , respirator , face masks , family medicine , medical emergency , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , psychology , materials science , economics , composite material , cognitive psychology , economic growth
Masks play a role in the protection of health-care workers (HCWs) from acquiring respiratory infections, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in health-care settings. This observational study was conducted among 382 HCWs in a tertiary care setting over a period of 1 month. Descriptive analysis was done to assess the rational and recommended use of masks/respirators during COVID-19 pandemic using a structured observation checklist as a survey tool. A total of 374 HCWs were included, 64.9% of whom were using face masks rationally as mentioned per risk area categorization with a predominance of triple-layered mask during all 4 weeks. Overall, 64.1% used masks correctly. Clear guidelines and strategies can help to increase the compliance of HCWs with rational use of face masks.