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Review
. 2020:28:e3353.
doi: 10.1590/1518-8345.4537.3353. Epub 2020 Aug 10.

Cloth face masks to prevent Covid-19 and other respiratory infections

[Article in Spanish, Portuguese, English]
Magda Milleyde de Sousa Lima  1 , Francisco Marcelo Leandro Cavalcante  2 , Thamires Sales Macêdo  2 , Nelson Miguel Galindo Neto  3 , Joselany Áfio Caetano  1 , Lívia Moreira Barros  4
Affiliations
Review

Cloth face masks to prevent Covid-19 and other respiratory infections

[Article in Spanish, Portuguese, English]
Magda Milleyde de Sousa Lima et al. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2020.

Abstract
in English, Spanish, Portuguese

Objective to analyze scientific evidence on the efficacy of cloth masks in preventing COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. Method integrative literature review based on the following guiding question: What is the efficacy of cloth face masks in absorbing particles that cause respiratory infection? The search was conducted in eight electronic databases, without any restriction in terms of language or period. Results low coverage cloth face masks made of 100% cotton, scarf, pillowcase, antimicrobial pillowcase, silk, linen, tea towel, or vacuum bag, present marginal/reasonable protection against particles while high coverage cloth masks provide high protection. Conclusion cloth face masks are a preventive measure with moderate efficacy in preventing the dissemination of respiratory infections caused by particles with the same size or smaller than those of SARS-CoV-2. The type of fabric used, number of layers and frequency of washings influence the efficacy of the barrier against droplets.

Objetivo: analizar las evidencias científicas sobre la eficacia de las máscaras de tejido para la prevención de COVID-19 y otras infecciones respiratorias.

Método: revisión integradora de la literatura a partir de la pregunta orientadora: ¿qué eficacia tienen las máscaras de tejido en la absorción de partículas que causan infección respiratoria? La búsqueda fue llevada a cabo en ocho bases de datos electrónicas, sin restricciones de tiempo e idioma.

Resultados: las máscaras de tejido de baja cobertura, 100% algodón, bufanda, funda, funda antimicrobiana, lino, seda, toalla de té y bolsa de aspiradora demuestran una protección marginal/razonable en la absorción de partículas, mientras que las máscaras de tejido de alta cobertura tienen una protección elevada.

Conclusión: las máscaras de tejido representan una medida preventiva de eficacia moderada en la propagación de infecciones respiratorias causadas por partículas de tamaño igual o menor al SARS-CoV-2. La eficacia de la barrera contra las gotitas se ve influida principalmente por el tipo de tejido, la cantidad de capas y la frecuencia de lavado.

Objetivo: analisar as evidências científicas sobre a eficácia de máscaras de tecido para a prevenção da COVID-19 e outras infecções respiratórias.

Método: revisão integrativa da literatura a partir da questão norteadora: “Qual a eficácia das máscaras de tecido na absorção de partículas causadoras de infecção respiratória?”. A busca ocorreu em oito bases de dados eletrônicas sem restrição de tempo e idioma.

Resultados: as máscaras de tecido de baixa cobertura, 100% algodão, cachecol, fronha, fronha antimicrobiana, linho, seda, toalha de chá e saco de aspirador apresentam proteção marginal/razoável na absorção de partículas, enquanto as máscaras de tecido com alta cobertura têm elevada proteção.

Conclusão: as máscaras de tecido representam medida preventiva com eficácia moderada na disseminação de infecções respiratórias ocasionadas por partículas de tamanho igual e/ou menor ao SARS-CoV-2. A eficácia da barreira contra as gotículas é influenciada, principalmente, pelo tipo de tecido, quantidade de camadas e frequência de lavagens.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. – Flowchart of the search and selection of studies according to PRISMA(13) guidelines. Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, 2020.
Figure 2
Figure 2. – Description of studies found in the databases according to authors, country, year of publication, and level of evidence. Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, 2020
Figure 3
Figure 3. – Description of studies according to types of facemasks, samples, and main results. Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, 2020
*HEPA = High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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