Original Research Article
Year: 2023 | Month: April-June | Volume: 8 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 66-74
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20230208
The Relationship Between Headache and Usage of Masks Among Healthcare Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic - A Cross-Sectional Study in a Tertiary Healthcare Centre in South India
Shravanti G1, S G Ramya2, Dasari Sai Sarath1, C Poornima Raj3
1Junior Resident, 2Associate Professor, 3Assistant Professor,
Department of General Medicine,
SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, SRM University, SRM Nagar, Potheri, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India
Corresponding Author: Shravanti G
ABSTRACT
Background: Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been termed as a pandemic and healthcare workers who are working in high-risk areas have been advised to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as N95 face mask and face shields while interacting with patients. This study was done to evaluate the risk factors associated with headache related to the use of PPE and its impact on their day to day activities. Pre-existing conditions and their association with development of headache were also studied.
Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was done at our tertiary institute and the participants were healthcare workers involved actively in management of covid and non covid patients. An online questionnaire was formulated and circulated amongst the participants.
Results: A total of 81 respondents took part in the survey. Majority of them were males [42/81 (52%)], aged 21 – 35yrs [72/81 (89%)], most of them being doctors [80/81 (99%)]. A total of 22% (18/81) had associated co-morbidities. 79% were using N95 mask with/without 3ply surgical mask. 22% used it coupled with face shield. Masks were used for more than 4hrs/day and more than 15 days a month by 86% of the respondents (70/81). Of the 81 respondents, 42% (34/81) developed headache post usage of mask. 5 of them had pre-existing headache which significantly increased with the usage of mask. Majority of them reported it to be bilateral (62%) and corresponding to the area of contact of the straps of mask and face shields. Aggravating factors were present in 93% of the cases. Relieving factors included taking rest in form of sleep (85%) or taking analgesics in 37% of the cases. 74% said it impacted their work performance. Headache resolved spontaneously in 81% of the respondents after duration of 30mins. Paracetamol was the most common drug used in acute attacks (73%). Univariate logistic regression analysis of factors showed that none of the factors were significantly associated with development of headache.
Conclusion: COVID – 19 disease might never be completely eliminated. Better strategies are needed for managing workloads along with improved designs of the N95 making them more user friendly.
Keywords: Coronavirus disease 2019; Covid 19; Eyewear; Face shield; Headache; N95; PPE; Personal protection equipment;