Purpose

Frontline health care workers (HCWs) must wear a standard N95 or FFP2 respirator during worldwide pandemics of respiratory diseases including COVID-19 to protect against airborne infectious pathogens when performing care activities. This study aimed to quantitatively investigate the fit of most of the common FFRs used during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran.

Methods

A total of 37 volunteers were fit tested in 20 selected FFRs in a randomized order. The selected FFRs were underwent quantitative fit testing by PortaCount® model 8038. To determine the effects of face sizes on respirator fit, the participants’ facial dimensions were measured using a digital caliper.

Results

The rate of passing fit tests for the studied FFRs were surprisingly low with 11 out of 20 FFRs having less than 10% passing fit tests and the best performers having only 43% and 27% passing fit tests (brands 2 and 20, respectively). Cup-shaped respirators provided significantly greater fit than the vertical flat-fold ones (p < 0.001). A significantly different FFs were found among the respirator brands (F = 13.60, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Overall, unacceptably low fit factors were obtained from the studied FFRs. The main reasons for this are suspected to single size and style for each studied FFR. It confirms the importance and requirement of the proper respirator selection in that way fitted optimally into facial dimensions, appropriate usage, and properly performing the fit testing procedure. A unique fit test panel should be developed to guide respirator wearers in selecting the appropriate FFR for their specific face sizes.

中文翻译：

---

COVID-19 大流行期间过滤式面罩呼吸器的定量贴合测试显示，伊朗现有的大多数呼吸器存在人体测量缺陷

目的

在包括 COVID-19 在内的全球呼吸道疾病大流行期间，一线医护人员 (HCW) 必须佩戴标准 N95 或 FFP2 呼吸器，以在执行护理活动时防止空气传播的传染性病原体。本研究旨在定量研究伊朗 COVID-19 大流行期间使用的大多数常见 FFR 的适用性。

方法

共有 37 名志愿者按照随机顺序在 20 个选定的 FFR 中进行了适合性测试。选定的 FFR 通过 PortaCount® 8038 型进行定量适合性测试。为了确定面部尺寸对呼吸器适合性的影响，使用数字卡尺测量参与者的面部尺寸。

结果

所研究的 FFR 的通过适合性测试的比率出人意料地低，20 个 FFR 中有 11 个的通过适合性测试的比例低于 10%，而表现最好的人只有 43% 和 27% 通过适合性测试（分别为品牌 2 和 20）。杯形呼吸器比垂直平折式呼吸器提供明显更好的贴合性 ( p  < 0.001)。不同呼吸器品牌之间的 FF 存在显着差异（F = 13.60，p < 0.001）。

结论

总体而言，从研究的 FFR 中获得的拟合因子低得令人无法接受。造成这种情况的主要原因被怀疑是每个研究的 FFR 的尺寸和款式单一。它确认了正确选择呼吸器的重要性和要求，以最佳地适合面部尺寸、正确使用以及正确执行适合性测试程序。应开发独特的贴合测试面板来指导呼吸器佩戴者选择适合其特定面部尺寸的 FFR。