Mask wearing by COVID-19 index cases reduces SARS-CoV-2 transmission to household contacts

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact on SARS-CoV-2 transmission prevention of mask wearing by index cases and their household contacts. A prospective study of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to household contacts aged ≥18 years was conducted between May 2022 and February 2024 in Spain. Contacts underwent a rapid antigen test on day zero and a real-time polymerase chain reaction test 7 days later if results were negative. The dependent variable was SARS-CoV-2 infection in contacts. Index case and contact mask use effects were estimated using the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI). Studied were 230 household contacts, mean (standard deviation) age 53.3 (16.6) years, and 47.8% (110/230) women. Following index case diagnosis, 36.1% of contacts (83/230) used a mask, and 54.3% (125/230) were exposed to a mask-wearing index case. Infection incidence in contacts was 45.2% (104/230) and was lower in contacts exposed to mask-wearing index cases (36.0% vs. 56.2%; <i>p</i> < 0.002). The logistic regression model indicated a protective effect for contacts of both index case mask use (aOR = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.15-0.65) and vaccination (aOR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.08-0.77). Index case mask use reduced SARS-CoV-2 transmission to contacts, while mask effectiveness was not observed for contacts.

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Publication Details

Journal
Epidemiology and Infection
Published
2025-01-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1017/s0950268825100642
Primary Topic
Infection Control and Ventilation
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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Mask wearing by COVID-19 index cases reduces SARS-CoV-2 transmission to household contacts

Carme Miret, Ignasi Parrón, Inma Sanz, Cristina Rius et al.
Epidemiology and Infection
Infection Control and Ventilation
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Mask wearing by COVID-19 index cases reduces SARS-CoV-2 transmission to household contacts

Carme Miret, Ignasi Parrón, Inma Sanz, Cristina Rius, Manuel Garcìa Cenoz, Núria Follia, Ángela Domı́nguez, Mónica Carol, Pedro Plans-Rubió, Diana Toledo, Miquel Alsedà, Pere Godoy, Carmen Muñoz‐Almagro, Sofia Godoy, Joan A. Caylà, María Rosa Sala, Núria Bes, Iván Martínez‐Baz, Jessica Pardos, Joaquim Ferràs
article en

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact on SARS-CoV-2 transmission prevention of mask wearing by index cases and their household contacts. A prospective study of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to household contacts aged ≥18 years was conducted between May 2022 and February 2024 in Spain. Contacts underwent a rapid antigen test on day zero and a real-time polymerase chain reaction test 7 days later if results were negative. The dependent variable was SARS-CoV-2 infection in contacts. Index case and contact mask use effects were estimated using the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI). Studied were 230 household contacts, mean (standard deviation) age 53.3 (16.6) years, and 47.8% (110/230) women. Following index case diagnosis, 36.1% of contacts (83/230) used a mask, and 54.3% (125/230) were exposed to a mask-wearing index case. Infection incidence in contacts was 45.2% (104/230) and was lower in contacts exposed to mask-wearing index cases (36.0% vs. 56.2%; <i>p</i> < 0.002). The logistic regression model indicated a protective effect for contacts of both index case mask use (aOR = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.15-0.65) and vaccination (aOR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.08-0.77). Index case mask use reduced SARS-CoV-2 transmission to contacts, while mask effectiveness was not observed for contacts.

Epidemiology and InfectionVol. 153
Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona (ES), Universitat de Lleida (ES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ES), Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (ES), Instituto de Salud Pública de Navarra (ES), Novosibirsk Tuberculosis Research Institute (RU), Agència de Salut Pública de Catalunya (ES), Institut Català de la Salut (ES), Agencia de Salud Pública de Barcelona (ES), Universitat de Barcelona (ES)
Innovative Research Group Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, European Commission, Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Openalex Percentile: Top 60%
Infection Control and Ventilation
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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