{"database":"biostudies-literature","file_versions":[],"scores":null,"additional":{"omics_type":["Unknown"],"volume":["46(1)"],"submitter":["Zeilinger EL"],"pubmed_abstract":["<h4>Background</h4>The effectiveness of cloth face masks to prevent viral spread has not yet been conclusively established. In this meta-analysis, we evaluate their effectiveness in comparison to standard medical/surgical and N95-typed masks against viral spread.<h4>Methods</h4>We identified literature through a systematic search in three databases and meta-analytically synthesized relevant studies by means of random-effects as well as multilevel modelling.<h4>Results</h4>Twelve studies comprising k = 28 effect sizes (N = 338) were included. Medical/surgical and N95-typed masks outperformed cloth masks, yielding a large effect (g = 1.40). This effect remained robust when data were grouped according to comparisons with medical/surgical masks (g = 1.25) and N95-typed masks (g = 1.29). However, effects were differentiated according to mask fit, indicating reversals of signs when cloth mask effects were compared with ill-fitting medical/surgical and N95-typed masks (gs = -12.50 and - 10.90, respectively).<h4>Conclusions</h4>Cloth face masks were found to have significantly poorer filtering performance than medical/surgical masks and N95 masks, but only if non-cloth masks were properly fitted. Our results illustrate the necessity of using well-fitting medical/surgical or N95-typed masks to prevent viral spread, although some allowance should be made in circumstances where higher compliance with cloth mask mandates are expected."],"journal":["Journal of public health (Oxford, England)"],"pagination":["e84-e90"],"full_dataset_link":["https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10901268"],"repository":["biostudies-literature"],"pubmed_title":["Effectiveness of cloth face masks to prevent viral spread: a meta-analysis."],"pmcid":["PMC10901268"],"pubmed_authors":["Oberleiter S","Brunevskaya N","Pietschnig J","Wurzer J","Masel EK","Fries J","Kum L","Herscovici A","Zeilinger EL","Fuchs A"],"additional_accession":[]},"is_claimable":false,"name":"Effectiveness of cloth face masks to prevent viral spread: a meta-analysis.","description":"<h4>Background</h4>The effectiveness of cloth face masks to prevent viral spread has not yet been conclusively established. In this meta-analysis, we evaluate their effectiveness in comparison to standard medical/surgical and N95-typed masks against viral spread.<h4>Methods</h4>We identified literature through a systematic search in three databases and meta-analytically synthesized relevant studies by means of random-effects as well as multilevel modelling.<h4>Results</h4>Twelve studies comprising k = 28 effect sizes (N = 338) were included. Medical/surgical and N95-typed masks outperformed cloth masks, yielding a large effect (g = 1.40). This effect remained robust when data were grouped according to comparisons with medical/surgical masks (g = 1.25) and N95-typed masks (g = 1.29). However, effects were differentiated according to mask fit, indicating reversals of signs when cloth mask effects were compared with ill-fitting medical/surgical and N95-typed masks (gs = -12.50 and - 10.90, respectively).<h4>Conclusions</h4>Cloth face masks were found to have significantly poorer filtering performance than medical/surgical masks and N95 masks, but only if non-cloth masks were properly fitted. Our results illustrate the necessity of using well-fitting medical/surgical or N95-typed masks to prevent viral spread, although some allowance should be made in circumstances where higher compliance with cloth mask mandates are expected.","dates":{"release":"2024-01-01T00:00:00Z","publication":"2024 Feb","modification":"2025-04-22T06:36:21.478Z","creation":"2025-04-05T21:46:32.318Z"},"accession":"S-EPMC10901268","cross_references":{"pubmed":["37934964"],"doi":["10.1093/pubmed/fdad205"]}}