The Use of Masks Among Brazilian Nursing Workers During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: to assess the use of masks among Brazilian nursing workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: cross-sectional study addressing nursing workers between March and May 2020. Data were collected online using a form addressing demographic variables and the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Face Mask Use Scale (FMUS-PB). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, central tendency and dispersion measures, Student’s t-test, and analysis of variance. Results: a total of 3,294 workers participated; most were nurses (85.9%), women (90.2%), lived in the southeast (36.9%), and had had contact with the COVID-19 (77.8%). The participants reported using masks in public places and at work (63.1% and 78.8%, respectively). However, only 25.8% wore masks at home. Individuals aged between 35 and 45 (p=0.002) living in the south (p<0.001) reported more frequent use of masks. Nursing technicians (p<0.001), aged ≥ 45 (p<0.001), living in the south (p<0.001), scored higher in the use of masks for self-protection and to protect others (p=0.002). Prior contact with COVID-19 resulted in the more frequent use of masks for self-protection and to protect others (p<0.001). Conclusion: the use of masks by nursing workers in public places and health settings was more frequent than at home. Additionally, masks were more frequently use for self-protection than to protect others. These results show a need to promote cultural changes toward masks for personal protection and within the family and social contexts.

Prática do uso de máscaras no contexto da pandemia da COVID-19: um estudo transversal

“…One of the justifications for this occurrence indicated by the authors was the understanding of the high transmissibility of diseases in hospital environments (20) . Brazilian studies have demonstrated that the best use of masks occurs in healthcare settings, both by the general population and specific groups, thus corroborating the results of the present study (16,18) . An important result of this investigation was that individuals who reported having had contact with people diagnosed with COVID-19 and/or people with symptoms of influenza-like-illnesses presented higher mask use scores, both for self-protection and to protect others.…”

“…Because of the nature of their work, they perform specialized technical procedures and are the main providers of patient care in hospitals (17) , and are thus more prone to contracting the pandemic disease, which justifies the results found. In the Brazilian context, a study among nurses to evaluate the practice of face mask use during the pandemic showed that this practice was greater in healthcare and public environments, in addition to being greater for self-protection than for the protection of others (18) . Moreover, individuals who have ongoing and daily contact with patients also had the best overall mask use scores for self-care and to protect others, in accordance with WHO guidelines (5) , as a way to avoid community transmission.…”