Systematic review on prevalence and factors associated with breathlessness due to face masks in Asian countries

Kavin Tay Wei  Ze; Rayyan Roslin; Nurul Aina Ahmad Azdi; Rakeesh Veeramuthu; Sabariah Abd Hamid

doi:10.53730/ijhs.v6nS7.13051

Authors

Kavin Tay Wei Ze Faculty of Medicine, University of Cyberjaya (UOC) Persiaran Bestari, Cyber 11, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Rayyan Roslin Faculty of Medicine, University of Cyberjaya (UOC) Persiaran Bestari, Cyber 11, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Nurul Aina Ahmad Azdi Faculty of Medicine, University of Cyberjaya (UOC) Persiaran Bestari, Cyber 11, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Rakeesh Veeramuthu Faculty of Medicine, University of Cyberjaya (UOC) Persiaran Bestari, Cyber 11, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Sabariah Abd Hamid
sabariah@cyberjaya.edu.my
Faculty of Medicine, University of Cyberjaya (UOC) Persiaran Bestari, Cyber 11, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia

Keywords:

Adults, Asia, face mask, prevalence, factors of breathlessness

Abstract

The usage of face masks has been of abundant and daily wear to every single population steeping high when the COVID-19 pandemic transmits airborne. The masks have been said to cause uneasiness and affect the performance of one’s daily living activities. Therefore, this study aims to identify the prevalence and factors associated with breathlessness due to face masks in Asian countries. Materials and Methods: Two main journal databases were adopted for this review and the study was done based on the PRISMA flow diagram. After being reviewed for stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria, the data was retrieved and compiled. Quality assessment was done using Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS). Results: Initial results search accounts for a total of about 800 articles to be reviewed. After eliminating duplication of articles with inclusion and exclusion criteria, we were left with nine articles. Our study shows that there is a high prevalence of breathlessness (26-100%) upon the usage of face masks with types of masks and duration of usage as its factors. Conclusion: Further studies are needed to infer the relationship between the type and duration of face mask usage with breathlessness.

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