Limiting factors of face shield use for health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by SARS-COV2, a highly transmissible and pathogenic viral infection, and was identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Three months later, it became a severe pandemic. OBJECTIVE: To identify scientific evidence on the use of face shields by health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic period. METHOD: An integrative literature review of articles obtained from PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Web of Science databases was undertaken. For the search, controlled, non-controlled descriptors and specific keywords: "face shield," "fluid resistance procedure," "respiratory infections," "healthcare workers," "COVID-19," "aerosols," and "personal protection infection" were used. RESULTS: The sample comprised seven studies. The available evidence has shown that face shields do not have a defined standard for their production-their effectiveness depends on the quality of the visor, structure, and fixation system. They must be used as adjuvants to other personal protective equipment (PPE), and their isolated use is not recommended due to the fragilities of peripheral face sealing, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic period. CONCLUSION: Due to the shortage of this equipment, domestic face shields can be indicated if they meet production requirements, based on scientific evidence for their efficient use.

Factors associated to the practice of using masks by the population of Paraíba during the COVID-19 pandemic. / Fatores associados à prática do uso de máscaras pela população paraibana durante a pandemia da COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the practice of using masks by the population of the Brazilian state of Paraíba during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: Cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study conducted with adults living in the state of Paraíba through an online instrument from April to May 2020, through the Face Mask Use Scale of Faculdades Metropolitanas Unidas da Paraíba. RESULTS: The participants amounted to 1,307 (100.0%) individuals, who were predominantly female (78.0%), aged 35 to 45 (32.3%), married (53.3%) and post-graduates (46.9%). The mean score for the practice of using masks was 18.7 (SD = 8.0; minimum 6.00; maximum 30). The use of masks for self-protection scored 9.8 (DP = 3.9; minimum 3.0; maximum 15.0), whereas the score for protection of others was 8.9 (SD = 4.5; minimum 3.0; maximum 15.0). In the comparison between the scores of the practice of using masks, there was a significant statistical difference for gender, education, age group, and income (p ≤ 0.01). The practice of using masks was more frequent in health environments, 7.3 (DP = 3.2). CONCLUSION: The practice of using masks was predominant among women, people over 35, married, with an income higher than seven minimum wages, and post-graduation. The use of masks for self-protection was higher than for the protection of others and its use in health environments was higher than in the others.

Cloth masks as respiratory protections in the COVID-19 pandemic period: evidence gaps

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify scientific evidence on the effectiveness of using cloth masks as safe protectors against COVID-19. Method: an integrative review of articles available in full obtained at PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Controlled, non-controlled descriptors and keywords such as "mask", "home-made"and "cloth"or "cotton"and "infection control"or "infection prevention"were used. Results: thirty-eight articles were selected;of these, seven studies made up the sample. Evidence shows that cloth masks do not have the same protective characteristics as surgical masks, indicating an increased risk of infection due to humidity, diffusion of fluids, virus retention, and improper preparation. Considering the shortage of surgical masks during the pandemic, cloth masks could be proposed as a last resort. Conclusion: cloth masks should be used together with preventive measures, such as home insulation, good respiratory conduct, and regular hand hygiene. RESUMEN Objetivo: identificar evidencia científica sobre la efectividad del uso de mascarillas de tela como un protector seguro contra COVID-19. Método: revisión integradora de artículos disponibles en su totalidad, obtenidos de las bases de datos PubMed, CINAHL y Web of Science. Se utilizaron descriptores controlados y no controlados y palabras clave "mask", "home-made"y "cloth"o "cotton"y "infection control"o "infection prevention". Resultados: se seleccionaron 38 artículos. De estos, siete estudios constituyeron la muestra. La evidencia ha demostrado que las máscaras de tejido no tienen las mismas características protectoras que las máscaras quirúrgicas, lo que indica un mayor riesgo de infección debido a la humedad, la difusión de fluidos, la retención de virus y la preparación inadecuada. Dada la escasez de máscaras quirúrgicas durante la pandemia, podrían proponerse como el último estándar para la población. Conclusión: para la población, las mascarillas de tela deben usarse junto con otras medidas preventivas, como el aislamiento del hogar, la buena etiqueta respiratoria y la higiene regular de las manos. RESUMO Objetivo: identificar evidências científicas sobre a eficácia do uso de máscaras de tecido enquanto protetor seguro contra a COVID-19. Método: revisão integrativa de artigos disponíveis na íntegra, obtidos nas bases PubMed, CINAHL e Web of Science. Foram utilizados descritores controlados, não controlados e palavras-chave "mask", "home-made"e "cloth"ou "cotton"e "infection control"ou "infection prevention". Resultados: foram selecionados 38 artigos. Desses, sete estudos compuseram a amostra. As evidências mostraram que máscaras de tecido não apresentam as mesmas características de proteção quanto às máscaras cirúrgicas, indicando risco de infecção aumentado devido à umidade, difusão de líquidos, retenção do vírus e confecção inadequada. Diante da escassez de máscaras cirúrgicas durante a pandemia, elas poderiam ser propostas como último recurso para a população. Conclusão: para a população, as máscaras de tecido devem ser usadas em conjunto com outras medidas preventivas, como isolamento domiciliar, boa etiqueta respiratória e higiene regular das mãos.

Cloth masks as respiratory protections in the COVID-19 pandemic period: evidence gaps

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify scientific evidence on the effectiveness of using cloth masks as safe protectors against COVID-19. Method: an integrative review of articles available in full obtained at PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Controlled, non-controlled descriptors and keywords such as "mask", "home-made"and "cloth"or "cotton"and "infection control"or "infection prevention"were used. Results: thirty-eight articles were selected;of these, seven studies made up the sample. Evidence shows that cloth masks do not have the same protective characteristics as surgical masks, indicating an increased risk of infection due to humidity, diffusion of fluids, virus retention, and improper preparation. Considering the shortage of surgical masks during the pandemic, cloth masks could be proposed as a last resort. Conclusion: cloth masks should be used together with preventive measures, such as home insulation, good respiratory conduct, and regular hand hygiene. RESUMEN Objetivo: identificar evidencia científica sobre la efectividad del uso de mascarillas de tela como un protector seguro contra COVID-19. Método: revisión integradora de artículos disponibles en su totalidad, obtenidos de las bases de datos PubMed, CINAHL y Web of Science. Se utilizaron descriptores controlados y no controlados y palabras clave "mask", "home-made"y "cloth"o "cotton"y "infection control"o "infection prevention". Resultados: se seleccionaron 38 artículos. De estos, siete estudios constituyeron la muestra. La evidencia ha demostrado que las máscaras de tejido no tienen las mismas características protectoras que las máscaras quirúrgicas, lo que indica un mayor riesgo de infección debido a la humedad, la difusión de fluidos, la retención de virus y la preparación inadecuada. Dada la escasez de máscaras quirúrgicas durante la pandemia, podrían proponerse como el último estándar para la población. Conclusión: para la población, las mascarillas de tela deben usarse junto con otras medidas preventivas, como el aislamiento del hogar, la buena etiqueta respiratoria y la higiene regular de las manos. RESUMO Objetivo: identificar evidências científicas sobre a eficácia do uso de máscaras de tecido enquanto protetor seguro contra a COVID-19. Método: revisão integrativa de artigos disponíveis na íntegra, obtidos nas bases PubMed, CINAHL e Web of Science. Foram utilizados descritores controlados, não controlados e palavras-chave "mask", "home-made"e "cloth"ou "cotton"e "infection control"ou "infection prevention". Resultados: foram selecionados 38 artigos. Desses, sete estudos compuseram a amostra. As evidências mostraram que máscaras de tecido não apresentam as mesmas características de proteção quanto às máscaras cirúrgicas, indicando risco de infecção aumentado devido à umidade, difusão de líquidos, retenção do vírus e confecção inadequada. Diante da escassez de máscaras cirúrgicas durante a pandemia, elas poderiam ser propostas como último recurso para a população. Conclusão: para a população, as máscaras de tecido devem ser usadas em conjunto com outras medidas preventivas, como isolamento domiciliar, boa etiqueta respiratória e higiene regular das mãos.

Cloth masks as respiratory protections in the COVID-19 pandemic period: evidence gaps.

OBJECTIVE: to identify scientific evidence on the effectiveness of using cloth masks as safe protectors against COVID-19. METHOD: an integrative review of articles available in full obtained at PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Controlled, non-controlled descriptors and keywords such as "mask", "home-made" and "cloth" or "cotton" and "infection control" or "infection prevention" were used. RESULTS: thirty-eight articles were selected; of these, seven studies made up the sample. Evidence shows that cloth masks do not have the same protective characteristics as surgical masks, indicating an increased risk of infection due to humidity, diffusion of fluids, virus retention, and improper preparation. Considering the shortage of surgical masks during the pandemic, cloth masks could be proposed as a last resort. CONCLUSION: cloth masks should be used together with preventive measures, such as home insulation, good respiratory conduct, and regular hand hygiene.