Your browser doesn't support javascript.
Mask use in community settings in the context of COVID-19: A systematic review of ecological data.
Ford, Nathan; Holmer, Haley K; Chou, Roger; Villeneuve, Paul J; Baller, April; Van Kerkhove, Maria; Allegranzi, Benedetta.
  • Ford N; Guidelines Review Committee, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Holmer HK; Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC), VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, United States.
  • Chou R; Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center and Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States.
  • Villeneuve PJ; School of Mathematics and Statistics and Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Science Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada.
  • Baller A; Health Emergencies Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Van Kerkhove M; Health Emergencies Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Allegranzi B; Infection Prevention and Control Technical and Clinical Hub, Department of Integrated Health Services, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
EClinicalMedicine ; 38: 101024, 2021 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1397306
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The wearing of medical and non-medical masks by the general public in community settings is one intervention that is important for the reduction of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, and has been the subject of considerable research, policy, advocacy and debate. Several observational studies have used ecological (population-level) data to assess the effect of masks on transmission, hospitalization, and mortality at the region or community level.

METHODS:

We undertook this systematic review to summarize the study designs, outcomes, and key quality indicators of using ecological data to evaluate the association between mask wearing and COVID-19 outcomes. We searched the World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 global literature database up to 5 March 2021 for studies reporting the impact of mask use in community settings on outcomes related to SARS-CoV-2 transmission using ecological data.

FINDINGS:

Twenty one articles were identified that analysed ecological data to assess the protective effect of policies mandating community mask wearing. All studies reported SARS-CoV-2 benefits in terms of reductions in either the incidence, hospitalization, or mortality, or a combination of these outcomes. Few studies assessed compliance to mask wearing policies or controlled for the possible influence of other preventive measures such as hand hygiene and physical distancing, and information about compliance to these policies was lacking.

INTERPRETATION:

Ecological studies have been cited as evidence to advocate for the adoption of universal masking policies. The studies summarized by this review suggest that community mask policies may reduce the population-level burden of SARS-CoV-2. Methodological limitations, in particular controlling for the actual practice of mask wearing and other preventive policies make it difficult to determine causality. There are several important limitations to consider for improving the validity of ecological data.

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Reviews / Systematic review/Meta Analysis Language: English Journal: EClinicalMedicine Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.eclinm.2021.101024

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Reviews / Systematic review/Meta Analysis Language: English Journal: EClinicalMedicine Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.eclinm.2021.101024