A new study has recently revealed that wearing a surgical face mask in public spaces effectively reduces the risk of self-reported respiratory symptoms.
This study was recently published in The BMJ. In this study, researchers used data of almost 4,500 adults in Norway. They had an average age of 51. Researchers then randomly divided these participants into two groups such as the face mask group and the mask free group. The face mask group was consisted of 2313 people who used a disposable surgical face masks in public places for 14 days. On the other hand, the mask free group was consisted of 2262 people who did not wear any mask in public places. These participants were asked some questions about sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, their beliefs about face masks, risk of infection and face mask use two weeks before this study. Researchers wanted to understand the protective effects of a surgical mask.
These participants were also asked about their symptoms of a respiratory infection such as fever and one respiratory symptom or one respiratory symptom and at least two other symptoms. They were also asked to take a COVID-19 test when they felt unwell. But the number of participants who took the test was very low.
When researchers observed the collected data, they found a 3.2% absolute risk difference was observed between the face mask group and the mask free group, with 163 participants reporting respiratory symptoms. On the other hand, 12.2% of them reported no significant effect on COVID-19 infection. But researchers also found that 80 participants reported unpleasant comments and feeling “silly” wearing a face mask in public. Also, 40 reported discomfort or tiring symptoms due to breathing difficulties or poor fitness.
Researchers of this study admit that the collected data was self-reported. They also think that people who wore masks might have stayed away from crowded places or kept a distance from others.
The results of this study clearly show that wearing a face mask in public places can effectively reduce the risk of respiratory infections. Hence people should consider this study and start wearing face masks while going out. This can effectively reduce the risk of many health complications and keep them healthy.
Reference Link:
Personal protective effect of surgical face masks in public spaces on self-reported respiratory symptoms in adults: pragmatic randomized superiority trial, The BMJ (2024).
