Abstract
Background: Healthcare workers are at a higher risk of having Covid infection than other professionals. Thus, it is more important for them to wear face masks for themselves and for the sake of their co-workers and public health. The use of face masks is mainly limited by their perceived discomfort and concerns regarding inadequate gas exchange. Still, there are serious concerns about the use of masks over a long period.
Aims: This study aimed to study the effects of different types of face masks on clinical parameters like oxygen saturation, Respiratory rate, and pulse rate.
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 218 subjects from March 2021 to April 2021. They used different types of masks-like cloth masks, surgical masks, N95 masks, and double masks. A pulse oximeter applied to the index finger was used for the non-invasive determination of clinical parameters like oxygen saturation, heart rate, and respiratory rate.
Results: There was a significant decrease in oxygen saturation seen in subjects using the surgical mask and N-95 mask, but there was no change in oxygen saturation in participants who wore cloth masks. In our study, heart rates increased significantly at the end of the study in all groups irrespective of the mask they wore. However, the respiratory rate increased significantly only in those participants who wore N-95 masks.
Conclusion: Our study concludes that wearing a face mask for a long period induces an increase in heart rate and shortness of breath along with a significant reduction in oxygen saturation.