The Medical journal of Australia
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Excellent audit data from a major Australian teaching hospital reporting on the fit test results of their tested 2,161 healthcare workers across four different N95/P2 mask designs.
Why is this important?
Many healthcare workers and significantly, the general public, do not have access to formal Fit Testing (requires expertise, facilities & equipment). We also know that as face shape varies among individuals, so does the effectiveness of protection for different mask types – this is particularly significant for women who have more difficulty in finding suitably-fitting N95 respirators. (Notably 73% of Fit Tested staff in this study were women.)
The results of this study may allow individuals to make educated choices on suitable masks even when they do not have access to Fit Testing, as well as guiding institutional mask purchases.
What did they find?
Three-panel flat-fold N95 masks performed best (3M Aura 9320A+) both for fit test (96% pass) and wearer comfort and usability.
The other three tested designs were not as performant:
- Semi-rigid cup type (3M 1860 or 1860S): 65% FT pass.
- Duckbill type: (BSN ProShield or Halyard Fluidshield): 59% FT pass.
- Flat-fold cup type: (BYD Care DE2322): 32% FT pass.
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To identify smoking cessation support strategies that resonate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. ⋯ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women prefer a range of cessation supports, with most women preferring group support and holistic approaches. Cessation supports that resonated with women varied by age, remoteness, nicotine dependence, and whether participants used an Aboriginal health service. Women want support to quit smoking from the Aboriginal health workers at their Aboriginal health service, at their health care providers and in their community. Comprehensive, multifaceted supports are required. Online support and phone-based support are also preferred by some women, which helps to increase accessibility. Appropriate models of care - including sufficient funding for Aboriginal health services and Aboriginal health workers - are required and should be developed in partnership with communities to implement meaningful and culturally safe cessation care. This research demonstrates the need for and importance of multifaceted, comprehensive cessation support strategies.