DEI/Health Equity
1
Date of Presentation
5-2-2024 12:00 AM
College
Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
Poster Abstract
The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Singh Thattha beard covering technique when quantitatively fit testing tight-fitting filtering face masks (N95 respirators) on male members of the Sikh religious group. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sikh healthcare workers faced the difficult decision of either shaving their unshorn beards to continue their profession or finding alternative solutions to maintain adequate respiratory protection. The study used a quantitative fit test method to measure the number of particles inside and outside the mask, calculating a fit factor. Participants performed exercises while wearing an N95 respirator and then repeated the exercises with a Singh Thattha Beard Cover, which consisted of FEI CanDo exercise bands. The overall fit factor was calculated, and an N95 filtering facepiece respirator must achieve a minimum of 100 to be deemed acceptable for use. The results showed an improvement in fit factor in 96% of bearded men, however the improvement was not always enough to achieve the minimum 100 fit factor. The study concluded that using bands to create a proper seal between the N95 mask has proven successful, but further research may be warranted to explore ways to achieve higher or passing fit factors.
Keywords
Quantitative fit testing, Singh Thattha beard covering technique, N95 respirator, Occupational airborne hazards, Portacount, Fit Factor, COVID-19, Personal Protective Equipment
Disciplines
Equipment and Supplies | Health and Medical Administration | Medicine and Health Sciences
Document Type
Poster
Singh Thattha Beard Covering Technique and Quantitative Fit Testing of a Tight-Fitting Filtering Facepiece (FFP3)
The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Singh Thattha beard covering technique when quantitatively fit testing tight-fitting filtering face masks (N95 respirators) on male members of the Sikh religious group. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sikh healthcare workers faced the difficult decision of either shaving their unshorn beards to continue their profession or finding alternative solutions to maintain adequate respiratory protection. The study used a quantitative fit test method to measure the number of particles inside and outside the mask, calculating a fit factor. Participants performed exercises while wearing an N95 respirator and then repeated the exercises with a Singh Thattha Beard Cover, which consisted of FEI CanDo exercise bands. The overall fit factor was calculated, and an N95 filtering facepiece respirator must achieve a minimum of 100 to be deemed acceptable for use. The results showed an improvement in fit factor in 96% of bearded men, however the improvement was not always enough to achieve the minimum 100 fit factor. The study concluded that using bands to create a proper seal between the N95 mask has proven successful, but further research may be warranted to explore ways to achieve higher or passing fit factors.