Efficacy of Face Masks Used in Uganda: A Laboratory-Based Inquiry during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mboowa, Gerald; Semugenze, Derrick; Nakabuye, Hellen; Bulafu, Douglas; Aruhomukama, Dickson

doi:10.4269/ajtmh.21-0030

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 31 publications

(57 reference statements)

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“…The World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends medical-grade mask for people over 60 years when they are out and cannot socially distance, while the general public is advised to wear a non-medical mask (three-layer fabric mask) (WHO, 2020). Besides, appropriate use, storage and cleaning or disposal of masks is essential to ensure that they are as effective as possible and to avoid an increased transmission risk (WHO, 2020, Mboowa et al, 2021. In Uganda, the Government supported expansion of local manufacturing of masks with a plan to distribute at least one free mask to all individuals aged 6 years and older (Nannyonga et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Face mask use and associated factors among students in rural Eastern Uganda amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

Mwesige

Nalugya

Bulafu

et al. 2021

Preprint

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BackgroundThe Corona Virus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has gravely affected several aspects of national and global society, including education. Given the risk it poses, the Government of Uganda (GOU) adopted and recommended face mask use as one of the preventive measures to limit its transmission in communities. However, there is limited data on the levels of face mask usage and associated factors among students in schools in Uganda. This study aimed at assessing the face mask usage and associated factors among students in schools in rural Eastern Uganda amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA cross sectional quantitative descriptive study was conducted among 423 students in schools in rural Eastern Uganda. Multi-stage sampling method was employed in the selection of study participants. The data was collected by trained data collectors using structured questionnaires pre-installed on ODK enabled smart phones. The data entered was cleaned using Excel 2016 and exported to Stata14.0 statistical software (Statacorp, College station, Texas, USA) for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed using 95% CI (confidence interval). Variables with p-value < 0.20 and those with literature backup evidence were included in the multivariable model. Variables with p-value < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. This study revealed that less than three quarters (62.3%) wore face masks correctly.ResultsAlmost all, 98.9% of the participants mentioned that they wore face masks due to fear of missing classes and 49.0% disagreed that they were vulnerable to COVID-19. Students in boarding schools (AOR = 1.61, 95%CI: 1.05-2.47), those who believed that they were vulnerable to COVID-19 (AOR = 1.70, 95%CI: 1.11-2.10), and those who disagreed that masks are uncomfortable (AOR = 1.62, 95%CI: 1.06-2.46) were more likely to wear facemasks correctly.ConclusionThis study revealed that more than a third of the students did not wear face masks correctly. Correct wearing of face masks was associated with being in a boarding school, belief that they were susceptible to COVID-19, and disagreeing that masks were uncomfortable. This therefore highlights the need for sensitization programmes in academic institutions in order to improve students’ perceptions toward COVID-19 and face masks, and consequently increase correct face mask usage in schools.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Face mask use and associated factors among students in rural Eastern Uganda amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

Mwesige

Nalugya

Bulafu

et al. 2021

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The face mask respirators N95, R95, and P95, have efficacies of almost 95, 99, and 99.97%, respectively, in the United States [ 67 ]. However, cough aerosol is blocked by 59, 51, 47, and 60% by surgical masks, three-layer cotton cloth masks, single-layer polyester masks, and double-layer polyester masks, respectively [ 93 , 94 , 95 ]. Surgical masks require a current average BFE of 95% [ 71 ].…”

Section: Efficacy Of Currently Available Face Masksmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are no significant differences between new and sterilized masks, and all methods are acceptable because it is a health issue [ 112 ]. Using 70% ethanol severely affects the performance of the face mask [ 94 ]. The mask can be used for a more extended period after being exposed to UV radiation and peroxide fumes for 15–20 mins [ 68 , 71 , 116 ].…”

Section: Challenges and Risks In Using Face Masksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Face Masks to Combat Coronavirus (COVID-19)—Processing, Roles, Requirements, Efficacy, Risk and Sustainability

Rahman

Hoque²,

Alam

et al. 2022

Polymers

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Increasingly prevalent respiratory infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19) have posed severe threats to public health. Viruses including coronavirus, influenza, and so on can cause respiratory infections. A pandemic may potentially emerge owing to the worldwide spread of the virus through persistent human-to-human transmission. However, transmission pathways may vary; respiratory droplets or airborne virus-carrying particles can have a key role in transmitting infections to humans. In conjunction with social distancing, hand cleanliness, and other preventative measures, the use of face masks is considered to be another scientific approach to combat ubiquitous coronavirus. Different types of face masks are produced using a range of materials (e.g., polypropylene, polyacrylonitrile, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polystyrene, polyester and polyethylene) and manufacturing techniques (woven, knitted, and non-woven) that provide different levels of protection to the users. However, the efficacy and proper disposal/management of the used face masks, particularly the ones made of non-biodegradable polymers, pose great environmental concerns. This review compiles the recent advancements of face masks, covering their requirements, materials and techniques used, efficacy, challenges, risks, and sustainability towards further enhancement of the quality and performance of face masks.

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“…Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory infectious disease (Mboowa et al, 2021 ). COVID-19 was identified in December 2019, with the first confirmed case of COVID-19 infection in Wuhan, China.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors affecting face mask-wearing behaviors to prevent COVID-19 among Thai people: A binary logistic regression model

et al. 2022

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ObjectivesFace mask wearing is a standard preventive measure, in addition to handwashing and physical distancing. Individuals may find that wearing a face mask protects their physical health and prevents viral transmission. However, none of the studies in Thailand identified factors associated with face mask-wearing behaviors among Thai people. Therefore, this study aims to determine factors affecting face mask-wearing behaviors to prevent COVID-19.MethodsThis research is analytical survey research. The data used in this study were under the project title “The assessment of psychosocial and behavioral response and compliance to restriction measures to prevent and control COVID-19: A series of the rapid survey.” A total of 6,521 people participated in an online survey by multi-stage sampling. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the factors associated with face mask-wearing behaviors.ResultsAfter adjusting for independent variables (i.e., gender, age, education, career, smoking, and comorbidity disease), the bivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that gender, age, and career were statistically significant to the face mask-wearing behaviors (p < 0.05). Level of education, smoking, and comorbidity disease were not statistically significant with face mask-wearing behaviors among Thai people.ConclusionFurther study should explore broader on individual face mask perceptions and wearing in the continuing of COVID-19 across gender, age, and careers to better understand their health behaviors and to inform further policy. In addition, the development of an intervention to promote face mask wearing should target men who age below 30 yrs. and did not work in government services careers as this group of the population was likely not to wear a face mask outside the home.

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Efficacy of Face Masks Used in Uganda: A Laboratory-Based Inquiry during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cited by 5 publications

References 31 publications

Face mask use and associated factors among students in rural Eastern Uganda amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

Face mask use and associated factors among students in rural Eastern Uganda amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

Face Masks to Combat Coronavirus (COVID-19)—Processing, Roles, Requirements, Efficacy, Risk and Sustainability

Factors affecting face mask-wearing behaviors to prevent COVID-19 among Thai people: A binary logistic regression model

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