The Challenges of Mask Wearing Among USIM Medical Students during the Pandemic of COVID-19
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33102/uij.vol33no1.287Keywords:
Face mask, COVID-19, survey, medical student, discomfortAbstract
Wearing a face mask has become mandatory when going out in public. Besides hand washing and physical distancing, wearing a face mask is a preventive measure used to curb the spread of COVID-19. However, many people do not comply with the rules and have difficulties in wearing masks. This study aims to evaluate current knowledge on the importance of face masks and identify factors contributing to discomfort in wearing face masks. Using a Google form survey, the study was conducted among 155 medical students of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). Data revealed 99.4% of the participants agreed on the importance of wearing masks and 92.35% respondents mentioned compliance in wearing masks. However, only 63.9% reported feeling comfortable while wearing a surgical mask. Certain factors were found to contribute to the discomfort of wearing face masks, such as feeling hot (77.4%), excessive sweating (76.1%), hard to breathe (67.7%) and trapping of odours (67.1%). Most of the respondents (84.5%) agreed that a change or alteration could be made to the current face mask design to make it more comfortable. During this COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of wearing masks has been well-realized by society. However, there remain several challenges associated with wearing them. Therefore, inventors should strive towards the innovation of a more comfortable and easy-wearing mask in order to enhance better compliance among users.
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Copyright (c) 2021 Raja Hassrullah Raja Hussin, Wan Shahida Wan Sulaiman, Amirah Roslan, Nur Faizatul Murni Mokhtar, Nurin Alia Abdul Manaf, Najat Ruhi Ahmad Sa’aduddin, Nuur Nabilah Balqis Wan Abdullah, Noradilah Samseh Abdullah
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