Face masks for respiratory viral illness prevention in healthcare settings: a concise systemic review and meta-analysis

Hiba Sami; Safiya Firoze; Parvez A Khan; Nazish Fatima; Haris M Khan

doi:10.18502/ijm.v15i2.12466

Hiba Sami Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
Safiya Firoze Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
Parvez A Khan Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
Nazish Fatima Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
Haris M Khan Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v15i2.12466

Keywords: Mask; Coronavirus; Influenza; Respiratory; Healthcare settings; Health personnel

Abstract

Background and Objectives: There are conflicting views regarding face mask guidelines amongst healthcare staff to prevent transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), influenza and other respiratory viral infections (RVIs). We conducted a thorough meta-analysis to statistically compare mask use versus no mask use efficacy for RVIs in healthcare settings.

Materials and Methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were used for selecting researches published between 2003 and June 2022 from different databases, including Publisher Med- line (PubMed), Web of Science, etc.; 6 studies qualified for inclusion. Data was pooled from in vivo randomized control, case-control and observational studies dealing with the relationship between face mask use and no use by patients or health personnel and RVI prevention in healthcare setups.

Results: The fixed and random-effects model was carried out to determine pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their respective 95 percent confidence intervals (CIs). The results revealed that wearing a face mask significantly reduced the risk of contracting a respiratory viral illness in hospital settings, with pooled OR (95% CI) of 0.11 (0.04 to 0.33) (probability value (P) <0.08).

Conclusion: Masks largely succeeded in stopping respiratory virus transmission, as evidenced by the meta-analysis of 6 studies (a total of 927 individuals).