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Mask use in community settings in the context of COVID-19: A systematic review of ecological data by Ford, Nathan (author);Holmer, Haley K. (author);Chou, Roger (author);Villeneuve, Paul J. (author);Baller, April (author);Van Kerkhove, Maria (author);Allegranzi, Benedetta (author) is a Medicine article available to read on EtoBox.

What is Mask use in community settings in the context of COVID-19: A systematic review of ecological data about?

## Background The wearing of medical and non-medical masks by the general public in community settings is one intervention that is important for the reduction of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, and has been the subject of considerable research, policy, advocacy and debate. Several observational studies have used ecological (population-level) data to assess the effect of masks on transmission, hospitalization, and mortality at the region or community level. ## Methods We undertook this systematic review to summarize the study designs, outcomes, and key quality indicators of using ecological data to evaluate the association between mask wearing and COVID-19 outcomes. We searched the World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 global literature database up to 5 March 2021 for studies reporting the impact of mask use in community settings on outcomes related to SARS-CoV-2 transmission using ecological data. ## Findings Twenty one articles were identified that analysed ecological data to assess the protective effect of policies mandating community mask wearing. All studies reported SARS-CoV-2 benefits in terms of reductions in either the incidence, hospitalization, or mortality, or a combination

Who reads Mask use in community settings in the context of COVID-19: A systematic review of ecological data?

Author

Ford, Nathan (author);Holmer, Haley K. (author);Chou, Roger (author);Villeneuve, Paul J. (author);Baller, April (author);Van Kerkhove, Maria (author);Allegranzi, Benedetta (author)

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Published

2021

Language

EN

Field

Medicine (Health Sciences)