Tucho Gudina Terefe, Kumsa Diribe Makonene
Department of Environmental Health Sciences and Technology, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
Department of Sociology, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2021 Feb 10;14:511-517. doi: 10.2147/RMHP.S298687. eCollection 2021.
Governments have imposed physical and social distancing measures together with hand hygiene to contain COVID-19. However, maintaining the recommended social distancing less likely applicable in developing countries where the majority of the people depend on daily income. Countries like Ethiopia imposed universal use of face masks as an additional measure.
This study aims to review and present the advantage and challenges of imposing universal use of face masks in the community and to forward possible recommendations.
The study was synthesized using a narrative literature review approach involving COVID-19 databases, published literature on COVID-19, and relevant news.
The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Ethiopia was reported on March 13, 2020. Consequently, the government has taken swift actions including social distancing and strict hygienic measures to contain its transmission. However, new cases have started to increase with local transmission. Hence, the country imposed additional measures including universal use of face masks at public places. The universal use of masks requires a sufficient supply of masks with affordable costs. Moreover, awareness of the proper use of face masks and its disposal is another challenge affecting its effectiveness against corona virus infection.
Universal use of face masks can contribute to the containment of the virus in the community if adequately available and properly used and managed after use. Encouraging local production with clear guidance, demonstration, and awareness creation helps to improve the accessibility and effectiveness of face masks particularly among the vulnerable population.
各国政府已实施物理和社交距离措施以及手部卫生措施以遏制新冠病毒。然而，在大多数人依赖每日收入的发展中国家，维持建议的社交距离不太可行。像埃塞俄比亚这样的国家将普遍佩戴口罩作为一项额外措施。
本研究旨在回顾并介绍在社区中普遍佩戴口罩的优势和挑战，并提出可能的建议。
本研究采用叙述性文献综述方法进行综合，涉及新冠病毒数据库、已发表的关于新冠病毒的文献以及相关新闻。
埃塞俄比亚于2020年3月13日报告了首例新冠病毒确诊病例。因此，政府迅速采取了包括社交距离和严格卫生措施在内的行动以遏制其传播。然而，随着本地传播，新病例开始增加。因此，该国实施了包括在公共场所普遍佩戴口罩在内的额外措施。普遍佩戴口罩需要有足够且价格合理的口罩供应。此外，对正确佩戴口罩及其处理的认识是影响其预防冠状病毒感染有效性的另一个挑战。
如果口罩供应充足且使用和使用后管理得当，普遍佩戴口罩有助于在社区中遏制病毒。鼓励在明确指导、示范和提高认识的情况下进行本地生产，有助于提高口罩的可及性和有效性，特别是在弱势群体中。
