A study on the acceptability of N95 respirators among private medical practitioners during COVID 19 pandemic

Abstract

On March 11, 2020, the novel coronavirus was declared pandemic. Use of N95 respirators is proven to be one of the most important methods to prevent the spread of disease. This study was conducted to know the pattern of adherence and discomfort faced by N95 respirators or masks among private medical practitioners in a city of West Bengal, India during the period of COVID-19 pandemic. We found 58% doctors were not using N95 respirators for the whole time during duty. We also found different sections of respondents like age less than 60 years, unmarried / divorced/separated/widow marital status, absence of children in family, surgical work field area and duty shift more than 8 hours have statistically significant association with irregular use or non-use of N95 respirators. Major discomfort of N95 respirators came out as shortness of breath (57%) and hot humid feeling (55%). In conclusion the study suggests behavior change communication and application of rules and regulation by government to solve these problems.