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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
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1 to 1 of 1 Research Studies DisplayedChou R, Dana T, Jungbauer R
Masks for prevention of respiratory virus infections, including SARS-CoV-2, in health care and community settings : a living rapid review.
This study examined the effectiveness of N95, surgical, and cloth masks in community and health care settings for preventing respiratory virus infections, including coronavirus. The effects of reuse or extended use of N95 masks was also studied. The authors used multiple electronic databases, including the World Health Organization COVID-19 database and medRxiv preprint server (2003 through 2020), and reference lists. Randomized trials of masks and risks for respiratory virus infection were included. The studies were abstracted and methodological limitations were assessed by one reviewer, with a second reviewer providing verification. Thirty-nine studies with 33,867 participants were included. No studies were found that evaluated reuse or extended use of N95 masks. The studies showed that COVID-19 and MERS probably decreased with use versus nonuse and possibly decreased with N95 versus surgical mask use. Random trials in community settings found not much difference between N95 versus surgical masks. The studies’ findings were not definitive.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500009I.
Citation: Chou R, Dana T, Jungbauer R .
Masks for prevention of respiratory virus infections, including SARS-CoV-2, in health care and community settings : a living rapid review.
Ann Intern Med 2020 Oct 6;173(7):542-55. doi: 10.7326/m20-3213..
Keywords: COVID-19, Respiratory Conditions, Infectious Diseases, Prevention, Public Health, Evidence-Based Practice