Practices and Problems Associated With the Mandatory Wearing of Face Masks among Medical Technologists and Nurses during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Wearing Face Masks in public has been a mandatory protocol during the COVID-19 Pandemic. As with the medical practitioners like Medical Technologists and Nurses, an additional burden in contacting the virus would mean extra measures to consider. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will weigh an utmost barrier in protecting oneself from the pathogens and wearing it for a longer period of time entail problems. This study aims to identify and describe the practices and problems associated with the mandatory wearing of face masks among Medical Technologists and Nurses. The researchers used a descriptive-quantitative approach through an online survey by using a standardized research tool and a purposive sampling technique was applied. Collected data were statistically treated and analyzed using percentage, mean, and standard deviation. A total population of 230 respondents, comprising of 111 Medical Technologists and 119 Nurses. In determining the respondents’ compliance with the mandatory wearing of face masks, it was found out that 93% practiced proper disposal of used face masks whereas the physiological complication is acne (67%) and 80% of the respondents said to have communication difficulties which is considered to be a psychological complication. There is a significant difference in the wearing of face mask practices between Medical Technologists and Nurses. Acne and communication difficulties are the physiological and psychological complications experienced by the two health professionals.