Children wearing face masks to prevent communicable diseases: scoping review

Abstract

Objective: To identify and synthesize scientific evidence that the use of face protection masks by children, in the community and at home, is a way of preventing communicable diseases. Data source: A scoping review was made using the Joana Briggs Institute method and PRISMA-ScR. A research was carried out in five electronic databases, at the Cochrane Library and on seven websites of governmental and non-governmental institutions. The data were organized in a spreadsheet and submitted to narrative analysis. Data synthesis: Initially, 658 productions were identified, of which 19 made up the final sample. Studies with higher levels of evidence are scarce. The types of masks identified were professional (surgical and facial respirators with filtration) and non-professional (homemade). The transmissible agents studied were influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses, and the evaluated environments were schools, homes and community spaces. The main discomforts reported were heat, shortness of breath, headache and maladjustment to the face. The indication and acceptability of masks change according to the age group and clinical conditions. There is no consensus on the reduction in the transmissibility of infections. Conclusions: Children older than five can benefit from the correct use of masks, as long as they are supervised, taught and educated to do so and the masks should be well adjusted to the face. The use of masks show better results when associated with other measures such as physical distancing, keeping places ventilated and frequent hand hygiene.

The effect of activity and face masks on exhaled particles in children

“…Nonetheless, the evidence supporting the use of face masks in children is almost primarily based on studies of adults 37–39 . and there remains a lack of consensus around the effectiveness of face masks in preventing pediatric respiratory viral transmission 40–42 …”

“…[37][38][39] and there remains a lack of consensus around the effectiveness of face masks in preventing pediatric respiratory viral transmission. [40][41][42] Following evolving guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics, most schools have relaxed masking recommendations in communities where COVID-19 transmission rates and hospital admission rates are low and hospitals have sufficient capacity. 43,44 The World Health Organization expert guidelines suggest that while mask-wearing may have potential benefits for older children, the costs of blanket mask mandates may outweigh their benefits, and the need for mask mandates among children should be assessed contextually.…”

“… 37 , 38 , 39 and there remains a lack of consensus around the effectiveness of face masks in preventing pediatric respiratory viral transmission. 40 , 41 , 42 …”

Contextual and psychological factors of mask-wearing among secondary school students: A cross-sectional survey from Toronto

“…Our findings may not only provide insight towards the masking behaviour of adolescents in a mask-optional setting, but also advise for better policies for future respiratory pandemics. Mandatory masking policies in secondary schools have shown to be very effective in slowing the transmission of COVID-19 and its variants (6)(7)(8)(9)(10). In Ontario, the masking adherence of children in K-12 schools varied between 43% to 97% across individual studies, where older students generally exhibited higher levels of adherence (11).…”

How Middle and High School Students Wear Their Face Masks in Classrooms and School Buildings

“…For groups in small spaces (i.e., children in school classrooms), wearing a face mask has been described as an effective way of limiting the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 [ 13 , 14 ], but it is also essential that classrooms are adequately ventilated [ 15 ]. However, there are also studies reporting problems that limit and complicate the correct wearing and use of face masks among children and adolescents, such as face shape, sense of responsibility, or hygiene [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”