Abstract
ABSTRACT Objective: to assess the use of masks among Brazilian nursing workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: cross-sectional study addressing nursing workers between March and May 2020. Data were collected online using a form addressing demographic variables and the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Face Mask Use Scale (FMUS-PB). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, central tendency and dispersion measures, Student’s t-test, and analysis of variance. Results: a total of 3,294 workers participated; most were nurses (85.9%), women (90.2%), lived in the southeast (36.9%), and had had contact with the COVID-19 (77.8%). The participants reported using masks in public places and at work (63.1% and 78.8%, respectively). However, only 25.8% wore masks at home. Individuals aged between 35 and 45 (p=0.002) living in the south (p<0.001) reported more frequent use of masks. Nursing technicians (p<0.001), aged ≥ 45 (p<0.001), living in the south (p<0.001), scored higher in the use of masks for self-protection and to protect others (p=0.002). Prior contact with COVID-19 resulted in the more frequent use of masks for self-protection and to protect others (p<0.001). Conclusion: the use of masks by nursing workers in public places and health settings was more frequent than at home. Additionally, masks were more frequently use for self-protection than to protect others. These results show a need to promote cultural changes toward masks for personal protection and within the family and social contexts.
Highlights
IntroductionConsidering the virus rapid and high transmissibility, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the COVID-19 outbreak is a public health emergency of international concern.[4,5,6] Since there are no specific therapies to treat severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2, social distancing, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, and facial masks became essential to protect and prevent COVID-19.2
Nursing technicians aged between 35 and 45 and living in the south reported the highest mask use rate, while older workers and nursing technicians living in the south were the most considerate of their protection and that of others
The results show that the workers less frequently wore masks at home, even in the face of flu-like symptoms
Summary
Considering the virus rapid and high transmissibility, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the COVID-19 outbreak is a public health emergency of international concern.[4,5,6] Since there are no specific therapies to treat SARS-CoV-2, social distancing, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, and facial masks became essential to protect and prevent COVID-19.2. In this context, health workers are on the pandemic frontline as they provide direct care to patients with a confirmed or suspected diagnosis[7] and are supposed to adopt Standard Precautions (SP). Due to the high transmissibility of the SARS-CoV-2, wearing a mask became a priority.[9,10]
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