Face masks: Boon or bane? A multimethod study on utilization pattern and short-term effects of face masks on adults in central Kerala

Abstract

Background: Face masks have been an inseparable part of one's day to day ensemble worldwide for over the past two years. There is no two opinion regarding the usefulness of face masks in the control of the community transmission of COVID-19. However the use of mask is not without adverse effects. Objective: To study the utilization pattern and short term effects of facemasks on health of study participants. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional mixed method study was carried out among the 210 adult participants of age above 18 years. Variables were expressed using proportions. The qualitative data collected was analysed using thematic analysis and classified into themes and subthemes. Results: The present study found that there was a decrease in the incidence of allergies and headaches by 52% and 49 % respectively. An extensive majority of 134 (63.8%) study participants reported an increased incidence of sweating and disturbance around the orofacial region with continued usage pattern. Conclusion: On a positive note, in healthy populations, wearing a mask does not appear to cause any harmful physiological alterations on the health of the community.

Keywords

• face mask
• kerala
• short-term health effects
• utilization pattern