. Saad Abdulrahman Hussain; . Naza Mohammed Ali Mahmood; . Trefa Mohammed Ali Mahmood; . Neega Aras Mohammed Salih; . Zainab Saad Abdulrahman
Volume 12, Issue 5 , June 2022, , Pages 1-6
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Health‑care workers have to use the N95 mask as a part of the protection kit duringthe COVID‑19 pandemic. The adverse effects of such practice are not fully elucidated. ...
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BACKGROUND: Health‑care workers have to use the N95 mask as a part of the protection kit duringthe COVID‑19 pandemic. The adverse effects of such practice are not fully elucidated. The study aimsto evaluate negative impacts of N95 face masks on health‑care personnel at COVID‑19 care units.MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty‑two health‑care workers (aged 20–58 years)from various health‑care settings in Sulaimani, Iraq, from January to August 2020, were enrolled inthis prospective, cross‑sectional study. The physiological variables (blood pressure, heart rate, andoxygen saturation) were recorded before putting on the N95 mask and postremoval of the mask. Theincidence of adverse effects such as headache, difficulty breathing, redness, irritation, and dizzinesswere also reported as a number and percent at the end of the work shift.RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in the physiological parameters afterremoval of the mask compared with baseline. Only diastolic pressure was significantly lower in thoseworking >6 h when compared to those working 1–6 h. The changes in physiological markers werepoorly and nonsignificantly associated with the duration of wearing the mask. Moreover, 67.2%–70.5%of the participants complain of headaches and breathing difficulties, while 45.9%–51.6% reportedsigns of itching, redness, and irritation. However, health‑care workers who put on the face mask >6 hshowed signs of headache, breathing difficulties, and itching at the exposed areas higher than thoseworking for 1–6 h.CONCLUSION: N95 mask negatively impacts the physiological variables of health‑care providers.The adverse effects may lead to excessive exhaustion after long shifts in the intensive care unitduring treatment of COVID‑19 patients.