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Face masks to prevent transmission of respiratory infections: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on face mask use

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  • Hanna M Ollila
  • Markku Partinen
  • Jukka Koskela
  • John Borghi
  • Riikka Savolainen
  • Anna Rotkirch
  • Liisa T Laine

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the use of face mask intervention in mitigating the risk of spreading respiratory infections and whether the effect of face mask intervention differs in different exposure settings and age groups. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. We evaluated the risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool (ROB2). Data sources: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science were searched for randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of face masks on respiratory infections published between 1981 and February 9, 2022. We followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies: We included randomized controlled trials investigating the use of face mask intervention in mitigating the risk of spreading respiratory infections across different exposure settings. Results: We identified 2,400 articles for screening. 18 articles passed the inclusion criteria for both evidence synthesis and meta-analysis. There were N = 189,145 individuals in the face mask intervention arm and N = 173,536 in the control arm, and the follow-up times ranged from 4 days to 19 months. Our results showed between-study heterogeneity (p

Suggested Citation

  • Hanna M Ollila & Markku Partinen & Jukka Koskela & John Borghi & Riikka Savolainen & Anna Rotkirch & Liisa T Laine, 2022. "Face masks to prevent transmission of respiratory infections: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on face mask use," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(12), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0271517
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271517
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