<p>The Use of Facemasks During the COVID-19 Pandemic by the Brazilian Population</p>

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the use of facemasks by the Brazilian population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 1277 participants who answered a web-based open survey with questions about the use of facemasks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Descriptive statistics with percentages was performed, and the responses were analyzed with chi-square and independent t-tests. Results: A total of 1277 answered the questionnaire, and most participants were female (81.8%). Almost all the participants (99.1%) reported wearing facemasks, and 34.2% are wearing just because it is mandatory; 65.8% would continue to wear masks even if it was not mandatory. Most subjects (50.4%) believe that masks' use effectively prevents infection by the novel coronavirus. Reusable fabric facemasks are the most used by the participants (49.5%). Almost all subjects were wearing masks to go to crowded and public places. Most respondents (67.3%) are bothered with the use of facemasks, and the most cited reason for the discomfort was feeling trapped or suffocated (58.9%). Discussion: The use of facemasks can help prevent the COVID-19, but it is most effective at reducing the spread of the virus when the general population's compliance is high. Some factors that limit the population's compliance with the use of masks are discomfort and a sense of embarrassment. Media campaigns and public health promotion activities supported by governmental agencies can increase the use of facemasks by the population. Conclusion: The mean level of anxiety with the COVID-19 pandemic was 6.18. Almost all the participants were wearing facemasks, and they believe that its use effectively prevents infection by the novel coronavirus. Reusable fabric facemasks are the most used by the participants. Almost all subjects were wearing masks to go to crowded and public places. The great majority of the participants feel more protected with the use of facemasks.

Facemask usage during the COVID-19 pandemic among people with primary ciliary dyskinesia: a participatory project

“…To our knowledge, this study is the first to describe facemask usage and related problems in people with a chronic disease during the COVID-19 pandemic. Few studies have reported on facemask usage in the general population, and they included only local populations making them unsuitable for direct comparison with our study [11, 28]. In a US survey of 1056 adults conducted in May 2020, 825 (79%) reported to wear a mask.…”

“…Facemasks are especially important for people who are at high risk of severe COVID-19, such as elderly people or those with chronic diseases [8-10]. However, many people have reported discomfort resulting from the use of facemasks such as difficulty breathing, pain around the ears, headaches, or skin problems [11, 12]. High-risk populations such as people with a chronic respiratory disease may experience additional problems because of respiratory symptoms such as chronic cough and rhinitis.…”

Changes of perceptions and behaviours during the phases of COVID-19 pandemic in German elderly people with neurological disorders: an observational study using telephone interviews

“…Here, most respondents (67.3%) reported that the use of masks bothers them in some way (feel trapped, suffocated, feel shortness of breath, feel discomfort in the ears due to the elastics, fogs up the glasses). 14 Overall, even though people reported discontent over the mandatory use of masks, the general population followed the rule relatively well, as wearing masks signals empathy and prosocial behaviour toward members of the risk group. 15 Parallel to the easing of the measures, social activities, such as visiting friends also increased.…”

<p>Achieving Universal Wearing of Face Masks During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Practical Solution from Shanghai, China</p>

“…Previous studies on nonsurgical face masks have focused mainly on how to make face masks and people's attitudes toward face mask. [17][18][19] Researchers in Kenya proposed a proof of concept of a low-cost and reusable printed 3-D face mask for developing economies. Many countries, such as the US and Japan, have encouraged residents to make cloth face masks and release teaching videos on the CDC website.…”