Journal of Occupational
Health and Epidemiology
Rafsanjan university Of medical sciences
Volume 11, Issue 1 (Winter 2022)
J Occup Health Epidemiol 2022, 11(1): 23-31 |
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Arasteh A, Mostafavi S, Mirza-Aghazadeh-Attari M, Alizadeh M, Mostafavi Montazeri S M, Hejazian S M et al . Associations between Wearing Masks, Hand Washing, and the Risk of COVID-19 Contraction: A Case-Control Study in the Northwest of Iran. J Occup Health Epidemiol 2022; 11 (1) :23-31
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Amin Arasteh1 
, Soroush Mostafavi2 , Mohammad Mirza-Aghazadeh-Attari3 , Mahasti Alizadeh4 , Seyedeh Mina Mostafavi Montazeri5 , Seyyedeh Mina Hejazian * 6, Seyede Saba Mostafavi Montazeri*7
, Soroush Mostafavi2 , Mohammad Mirza-Aghazadeh-Attari3 , Mahasti Alizadeh4 , Seyedeh Mina Mostafavi Montazeri5 , Seyyedeh Mina Hejazian * 6, Seyede Saba Mostafavi Montazeri*7
1- Resident Student in Ophthalmology, Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
2- MD Student, Student Research Committee, Kidney Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
3- MD Student, Dept. of Radiology, Medical Radiation Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
4- Professor, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Dept. of Community and Family Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
5- Resident Student in Internal Medicine, Clinical Research Development Center of Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
6- MSc in Medical Biotechnology, Student Research Committee, Kidney Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. ,s.mina.hejazian@gmail.com
7- MD Student, Student Research Committee, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran. , sabamst26@gmail.com
2- MD Student, Student Research Committee, Kidney Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
3- MD Student, Dept. of Radiology, Medical Radiation Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
4- Professor, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Dept. of Community and Family Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
5- Resident Student in Internal Medicine, Clinical Research Development Center of Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
6- MSc in Medical Biotechnology, Student Research Committee, Kidney Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. ,
7- MD Student, Student Research Committee, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran. , sabamst26@gmail.com
Article history
Received: 2021/11/5
Accepted: 2022/02/28
ePublished: 2022/03/25
Accepted: 2022/02/28
ePublished: 2022/03/25
Subject:
Epidemiology
Abstract: (1722 Views)
Background: Scientists believe that the new coronavirus causing COVID-19 is airborne. It has been approved that wearing masks and hand washing prevent the spread of COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate the association between wearing facemasks, hand washing, and COVID-19 contraction in the population of Tabriz, Iran.
Materials & Methods: In this analytical study, necessary information was collected via four online multi-optional questionnaires on sociodemographic characteristics, the COVID-19 virus, mask-wearing behaviors, and hand hygiene habits among 360 individuals (120 cases and 240 controls). Based on data normality, quantitative variables were reported as mean ± standard deviation or the median (min-max). In addition, the relationship between qualitative variables was evaluated by the Fisher’s exact test, and correlations were assessed by the Spearman's test.
Results: Elderly individuals and their care seekers had fewer potentials for exposure to COVID-19 (p = 0.010), but healthcare workers were at a higher risk of contracting the virus than other occupations (p = 0.002). In addition, smokers were at a lower risk of the disease than other healthy people (p = 0.009). Furthermore, the incidence of COVID-19 was significantly higher among individuals not wearing facemasks than others (p = 0.007).
Conclusions: we concluded that wearing a facemask was more effective than hand washing and antiseptics in preventing the incidence of COVID-19 contraction; thus, people not wearing facemasks were at a higher risk of the viral infection.
Materials & Methods: In this analytical study, necessary information was collected via four online multi-optional questionnaires on sociodemographic characteristics, the COVID-19 virus, mask-wearing behaviors, and hand hygiene habits among 360 individuals (120 cases and 240 controls). Based on data normality, quantitative variables were reported as mean ± standard deviation or the median (min-max). In addition, the relationship between qualitative variables was evaluated by the Fisher’s exact test, and correlations were assessed by the Spearman's test.
Results: Elderly individuals and their care seekers had fewer potentials for exposure to COVID-19 (p = 0.010), but healthcare workers were at a higher risk of contracting the virus than other occupations (p = 0.002). In addition, smokers were at a lower risk of the disease than other healthy people (p = 0.009). Furthermore, the incidence of COVID-19 was significantly higher among individuals not wearing facemasks than others (p = 0.007).
Conclusions: we concluded that wearing a facemask was more effective than hand washing and antiseptics in preventing the incidence of COVID-19 contraction; thus, people not wearing facemasks were at a higher risk of the viral infection.
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