Wearing surgical face masks in public spaces has been found to reduce the risk of self-reported respiratory symptoms, according to a trial conducted among adults in Norway. The effect, while moderate, resulted in a 3.2% decrease in symptoms, which equates to approximately 3,300 fewer infections per 100,000 individuals. These findings suggest that face masks could effectively lower the incidence of self-reported symptoms consistent with respiratory tract infections.
Previous observational studies indicated that face masks might reduce the risk of respiratory infections, but evidence from randomized trials has been inconclusive. To delve deeper into this matter, researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial to assess the personal protective effects of wearing surgical face masks in public spaces compared to not wearing them over a 14-day period.
The study involved 4,575 adults in Norway (average age 51; 61% women) during a typical influenza season in the Nordic countries, spanning from 10 February 2023 to 27 April 2023. Participants completed an online questionnaire covering sociodemographic details, lifestyle factors, beliefs regarding face masks and infection risk, and their face mask usage in the two weeks preceding the study.
Of these participants, 2,313 were randomly assigned to wear disposable surgical face masks when close to others in public settings (intervention group), while 2,262 were instructed to refrain from wearing masks in similar situations (control group). Throughout the study period, participants were asked to report any symptoms indicative of a respiratory infection, defined as either fever and one respiratory symptom (such as stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, coughing, sneezing, or heavy breathing), or one respiratory symptom accompanied by at least two other symptoms (including body ache, muscular pain, fatigue, reduced appetite, stomach pain, headache, or loss of smell).
Although participants were encouraged to undergo COVID-19 testing when feeling unwell, the number of tests conducted remained low during the trial period.
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