•  
  •  
 

Journal of Innovation in Science, Engineering and Technology

Adverse complications of usage practice of face mask during an epidemic; pilot study on Sri Lankan

Abstract

Accurate use of face mask (FM) is important for prevention of airborne diseases such as COVID 19, and it’s related with rapid spread and many post covid complications. Our group investigated the usage practice of different types of FM using web based self-administered questionnaire which was validated in the health sector. Study was conducted in public of Sri Lanka. The questionnaire with 23 questions and 8 questions directed for assessing the usage pattern of facemasks. The study represented all the districts and 99% of participants had used the FM and out of that, 55% were females and 45% were males. 71% of participants were young, 17% middle-aged and rest (12%) of above 40 years. Further, 74% of participants who used FM are tertiary educators and the rest are from school education. 50% of them were KN95/N95 users, 40% were disposable surgical masks, 6% used reusable cloth masks and 4% of others. 85% of them had used all disposable FM. Out of them, 65% had reused it and 35% of them had not reused it. Participants who used reusable cloth-masks, 58% washed every time, 36% after several uses, 2% rarely washed and 4% never washed. Regarding using time, 30% uses < 1 hr, 32% for 1-3 hrs, 28% use 3-6 hrs 5% for 6-12 hrs, and 5% > 12 hrs. 95% of participants mentioned that they do proper disposal but only 35% practiced the correct method. Most of them had reused the disposable FM and also use cloth masks without rewashing. This pilot study showed that importance of dissemination of the knowledge on proper disposal of FM and recommended intermittent detailed health education program and disposal monitoring system in this regard.

Pages

1-7

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS