Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine rates of mask-wearing, of respiratory infection and the factors associated with mask-wearing and of respiratory infection in healthcare workers (HCWs) in Beijing during the winter of 2007/2008. METHODS: We conducted a survey of 400 HCWs working in eight hospitals in Beijing by face to face interview using a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: We found that 280/400 (70. 0%) of HCWs were compliant with mask-wearing while in contact with patients. Respiratory infection occurred in 238/400 (59. 5%) subjects from November, 2007 through February, 2008. Respiratory infection was higher among females (odds ratio OR, 2. 00 95% confidence interval CI, 1. 16-3. 49) and staff working in larger hospitals (OR, 1. 72 95% CI, 1. 092. 72), but was lower among subjects with seasonal influenza vaccination (OR, 0. 46 95% CI, 0. 280. 76), wearing medical masks (reference: cotton-yarn; OR, 0. 60 95% CI, 0. 39-0. 91) or with good mask-wearing adherence (OR, 0. 60 95% CI, 0. 37-0. 98). The risk of respiratory infection of HCWs working in low risk areas was similar to that of HCWs in high risk area. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that female HCWs and staffs working in larger hospitals are the focus of prevention and control of respiratory infection in Beijing hospitals. Mask-wearing and seasonal influenza vaccination are protective for respiratory infection in HCWs; the protective efficacy of medical masks is better than that of cotton yarn ones; respiratory infection of HCWs working in low risk areas should also be given attention.
Yang et al. (Tue,) studied this question.