Does wearing double surgical masks during the COVID-19 pandemic reduce maternal oxygen saturation in term pregnant women?: A prospective study

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to compare the effects of using single and double surgical masks (SM) on maternal oxygen saturation in pregnant women. Methods In this prospective study, single or double SM were worn by term pregnant women who applied for routine controls. The vital signs of the participants such as oxygen saturation, pulse, respiratory rate, fever, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured at admission and 30 min later. Results There were 223 participants in the single SM group and 231 participants in the double SM group. Thirty minutes after putting on the mask, there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients whose oxygen saturation fell below 95 (3.6 vs 5.6%, p = 0.301). No significant difference was observed between the admission and 30 min oxygen saturation levels of the pregnant women in the single SM group. However, maternal oxygen saturation after 30 min of the pregnant women in the double SM group was significantly lower (97.4 ± 1.1 vs 96.6 ± 1.3, p < 0.001). No significant changes were observed in the vital signs of either groups. Conclusion When using double SM, oxygen saturation is significantly reduced compared to pre-mask values. Nevertheless, it seems difficult to say that these decreases have clinical significance.

Adherence to face mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic among women seeking antenatal care in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo: a facility-based cross-sectional study

“…Moreover, the failure to adequately educate pregnant women on the part of ANC providers may also contribute to poor knowledge of mask wearing as a non-pharmaceutical measure and thus incorrect face mask placement. 28 29 Pregnant women might have also felt uncomfortable with a mask that covers both the nose and mouth at the same time 30 31 ; future studies in this area should thus investigate factors related to the potential effect of this discomfort on the ability to mask properly.…”

Why Face Masks Should not be Imposed on the Public Again: A Review Article

“…Moreover, using three or four facemasks should provide better protection if the recommendations follow common sense. However, wearing a double mask should theoretically lead to more ADRs and costs (Isikalan et al, 2022). According to one descriptive study, excessive sweating (68.4%), high cost of masks (66.4%), and difficulty in breathing (66.1%) were frequently reported as significant barriers to double masking (Nalunkuma et al, 2022).…”

“…Isikalan et al, 2022). According to the descriptive study, many people reported excessive sweating (68.4%), high mask costs (66.4%), and difficulty breathing (66.1%) as significant barriers to double masking(Nalunkuma et al, 2022).Nevertheless, what was remarkable during the COVID-19 pandemic is that the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths have been directly proportional to the number of COVID-19 tests conducted(Alrasheedi, 2023;Nguimkeu & Tadadjeu, 2021).…”

Correspondence on “Does wearing double surgical masks during the COVID-19 pandemic and maternal oxygen saturation in term pregnant women”

“…We would like to share ideas on the publication “Does wearing double surgical masks (SM) during the COVID-19 pandemic reduce maternal oxygen saturation in term pregnant women? : A prospective study [ 1 ]”. Isikalan et al concluded that “ When using double SM, oxygen saturation is significantly reduced compared to pre-mask values.…”

“…Isikalan et al concluded that “ When using double SM, oxygen saturation is significantly reduced compared to pre-mask values. Nevertheless, it seems difficult to say that these decreases have clinical significance [ 1 ].” We believe that wearing a facemask is a crucial COVID-19 prevention technique. The effect on oxygen saturation is a fascinating topic.…”