Masks for preventing COVID-19 infection: a scoping review

Article type
Authors
Yang N1, Feng X2, Zhang J3, Wang J3, Ma Y1, Wang M4, Chen Y1
1Evidence-Based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University; WHO Collaborating Centre for Guideline Implementation and Knowledge Translation; Cochrane China Network; Chinese GRADE Center
2Chengdu Medical College
3School of Public Health, Lanzhou University;Evidence-Based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University; WHO Collaborating Centre for Guideline Implementation and Knowledge Translation; Cochrane China Network; Chinese GRADE Center
4Department of Radiology, the First Hospital of Lanzhou University
Abstract
Background: Masks play an important role in preventing infection with high risk at COVID-19 pandemic. However, the recommendations of masks are conflicting and evidence on effectiveness against COVID-19 are limited.

Objectives: This study aims to find the research gaps related to masks for preventing COVID-19 infection and propose recommendations for future research.

Methods. Considering of the few search results on COVID-19 based on strategy preliminary search, the scoping review will include any types studies on masks for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and influenza. The search strategy includes the following terms “mask”, “respirator”, “COVID-19”, “novel coronavirus”, “2019-novel coronavirus”, “Novel CoV”, “SARS-CoV-2”, “2019-CoV”, “Middle East Respiratory Syndrome”, “MERS”, “Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome”, “SARS”. Two reviewers will search independently in the following electronic databases: the Cochrane library, Medline (via PubMed), EMBASE, Web of Science, China Biology Medicine disc (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Data. All databases were searched from their inception until April 31, 2020. Two reviewers will also search the following websites for relevant publications: World Health Organization (WHO), the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Google Scholar, BioRxiv, SSRN, and MedRxiv. In addition, the published online articles on COVID-19 in selected major medical journals (Journal of the American Medical Association, The Lancet, New England Journal of Medicine and their sister journals) will be scanned. Two researchers will independently screen the records and extracted data, disagreements resulted through discussion or by a third party.

Results and conclusions: This study is ongoing and results will be presented at the Cochrane Colloquium as available.