Efficacy of Face Masks Used in Uganda: A Laboratory-Based Inquiry during the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Published in: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene Vol. 104; no. 5; pp. 1703 - 1708
• Main Authors: Mboowa, Gerald, Semugenze, Derrick, Nakabuye, Hellen, Bulafu, Douglas, Aruhomukama, Dickson
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Institute of Tropical Medicine 16-03-2021; The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
• Subjects: Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - prevention & control; Humans; Laboratories; Masks; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2; Uganda; Uganda
• ISSN: 0002-9637; 1476-1645
• DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0030

With shortages of face masks being reported worldwide, it is critical to consider alternatives to commercially manufactured face masks. This study aimed to test and compare the efficacy of various makes of locally made or homemade cloth face masks obtained from face-mask vendors in Kampala, Uganda, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The testing was performed to assess the bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE), breathability, distance-dependent fitness, and reusability of the locally made or homemade cloth face masks, while considering the most commonly used non-published face-mask decontamination approaches in Uganda. During laboratory experimentation, modified protocols from various face-mask testing organizations were adopted. Ten different face-mask types were experimented upon; each face-mask type was tested four times for every single test, except for the decontamination protocols involving washing where KN95 and surgical face masks were not included. Among the locally made or homemade cloth face masks, the double-layered cloth face masks (described as F) had better BFE and distance-dependent fitness characteristics, they could be reused, and had good breathability, than the other locally made or homemade cloth face masks. Despite these good qualities, the certainty of these face masks protecting wearers against COVID-19 remains subject to viral filtration efficiency testing.