A cluster-randomised controlled trial to test the efficacy of facemasks in preventing respiratory viral infection among Hajj pilgrims

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Wang, Mandy, Barasheed, Osamah, Rashid, Harunor, Booy, Robert, El Bashir, Haitham, Haworth, Elizabeth, Ridda, Iman, Holmes, Edward C., Dwyer, Dominic E., Nguyen-Van-Tam, Jonathan, Memish, Ziad A. and Heron, Leon (2014) A cluster-randomised controlled trial to test the efficacy of facemasks in preventing respiratory viral infection among Hajj pilgrims. Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, 5 (2). pp. 181-189. ISSN 2210-6014

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Official URL: http://ac.els-cdn.com/S2210600614000781/1-s2.0-S2210600614000781-main.pdf?_tid=558800be-a3f1-11e5-9ff7-00000aacb35f&acdnat=1450269442_7a6fbb28143665b612f903f1a5b58a1d

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cost-effective interventions are needed to control the transmission of viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in mass gatherings. Facemasks are a promising preventive measure, however, previous studies on the efficacy of facemasks have been inconclusive. This study proposes a large-scale facemask trial during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia and presents this protocol to illustrate its feasibility and to promote both collaboration with other research groups and additional relevant studies.

METHODS/DESIGN: A cluster-randomised controlled trial is being conducted to test the efficacy of standard facemasks in preventing symptomatic and proven viral RTIs among pilgrims during the Hajj season in Mina, Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The trial will compare the 'supervised use of facemasks' versus 'standard measures' among pilgrims over several Hajj seasons. Cluster-randomisation will be done by accommodation tents with a 1:1 ratio. For the intervention tents, free facemasks will be provided to be worn consistently for 7days. Data on flu-like symptoms and mask use will be recorded in diaries. Nasal samples will be collected from symptomatic recruits and tested for nucleic acid of respiratory viruses. Data obtained from questionnaires, diaries and laboratory tests will be analysed to examine whether mask use significantly reduces the frequency of laboratory-confirmed respiratory viral infection and syndromic RTI as primary outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: This trial will provide valuable evidence on the efficacy of standard facemask use in preventing viral respiratory tract infections at mass gatherings. This study is registered at the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR), ACTRN: ACTRN12613001018707 (http://www.anzctr.org.au).

Item Type:	Article
RIS ID:	https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/734923
Keywords:	Facemask, Hajj pilgrimage, Influenza, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Viral respiratory tract infection
Schools/Departments:	University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Medicine > Division of Epidemiology and Public Health
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jegh.2014.08.002
Depositing User:	Figgens, Sharon
Date Deposited:	18 Apr 2016 13:01
Last Modified:	04 May 2020 16:53
URI:	https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/32815

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