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Article
Publication date: 10 February 2021

Mika Morishima, Koya Kishida and Miho Fukagawa

A facemask is used to cover the nose and mouth to protect a wearer's health in daily life. The authors’ long-term goal aimed to ensure more people with different physical…

306

Abstract

Purpose

A facemask is used to cover the nose and mouth to protect a wearer's health in daily life. The authors’ long-term goal aimed to ensure more people with different physical characteristics and different attitudes can wear a high performance and comfortable facemask. In the present paper, wearers were surveyed by a questionnaire. Additionally, a prototype improvement pattern with a fit performance was investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey of facemask wearers was conducted with local students and international students in Japan. A basic pattern with high fit performance was analyzed using a combination of triangles based on the measured three-dimensional coordinates of the head shape of a Japanese mannequin.

Findings

The aggregated survey data indicated that 85.0% of the Japanese female students, 77.2% of international female students, 70.8% of Japanese male students and 54.3% of international male students were facemask wearers. Wearers had problems related to their masks' thermal, hygroscopic and airflow properties. Japanese nonusers did not wear them due to dislike related to the problems above. International nonusers had no experience of wearing them. It was concerned that these discomfort factors influence fit performance and reduction of wearing effects. Therefore, the authors analyzed a sheet pattern with a high fit performance for a Japanese head mannequin.

Originality/value

These results will contribute in improving hygienic facemasks for people at the global level. The survey results and pattern analysis provide of necessary conditions of development of the mask with comfortable and high fit performance.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 33 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 6 March 2017

Mika Morishima, Tamaki Mitsuno and Koya Kishida

Many Japanese hay fever (HF) sufferers wear a hygienic face mask to prevent pollen inhalation, but most find it very uncomfortable. The purpose of this paper is to identify the…

124

Abstract

Purpose

Many Japanese hay fever (HF) sufferers wear a hygienic face mask to prevent pollen inhalation, but most find it very uncomfortable. The purpose of this paper is to identify the problems associated with mask wearing through repeated surveys. This information can be used in the improved design of a hygienic face mask that can be worn without discomfort by HF sufferers.

Design/methodology/approach

In 2009 (n=1,519), 2012 (n=2,994), and 2015 (n=3,213), repeated surveys of university students were conducted. HF sufferers were queried regarding symptoms, countermeasures, and problems associated with wearing a hygienic face mask. Holistic perspectives for each year were obtained by a co-occurrence analysis of the aggregated data. The triplet co-occurrence of specific problems was compared among the surveys using the χ2 test. Temporary and contemporary co-occurrence relationships were also determined.

Findings

Most Japanese university students with HF wore a hygienic face mask. In each survey, the most common problems associated with mask use were related to its thermal, hygroscopic, and air-flow properties. Contemporary problems with co-occurrence relationships were “humidity,” “breathing difficulty,” and “mist over eyeglasses” for males and, “humidity,” “breathing difficulty,” and “make-up coming off” for females.

Originality/value

The results of this study will contribute to improving hygienic face mask design. The co-occurrence of contemporary problems related to mask use was identified by comparing the results obtained in each year. The thermal, hygroscopic, and air flow properties of the mask cause these problems, and the air gap between the mask and the wearer’s face influences the inherent physical properties of the mask. To measure the air gap, a suitable hydrostatic pressure-balanced experimental method was applied, and the data were demonstrated experimentally.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 29 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 29 July 2014

Mika Morishima, Koya Kishida, Takashi Uozumi and Masayoshi Kamijo

In Japan, one of the countermeasures used to avoid the symptoms of hay fever (HF) is a hygiene mask; however, a mask can cause discomfort. The authors believe that co-occurrence…

247

Abstract

Purpose

In Japan, one of the countermeasures used to avoid the symptoms of hay fever (HF) is a hygiene mask; however, a mask can cause discomfort. The authors believe that co-occurrence analysis, which has been widely in the sciences, will be valuable to this issue. The purpose of this paper is to identify problems associated with the use of hygiene masks and recommend improvements in their function and comfort. The goal of this study was to obtain information for the development of effective hygiene masks for HF sufferers and therefore, improve their quality of life.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a survey of university students with HF (n=1,519) to identify problems with hygiene masks. Students completed self-report questionnaires and co-occurrence analyses were used to examine the data from a holistic perspective. Moreover, technical data, relative to the problems of wearing a mask were acquired experimentally using thermal, hygroscopic, and airflow properties.

Findings

Among Japanese university students, hygiene masks were the most popular countermeasure against HF symptoms. In addition, it was found that wearing a mask was not influenced of the type of symptoms. Most problems were related to the masks’ thermal, hygroscopic, and airflow properties.

Originality/value

The paper proposed the use of co-occurrence analysis to analyze problems with hygiene masks. Most problems appear to be related to the thermal, hygroscopic, and airflow properties of the masks. Moreover, such phenomena have been experimentally demonstrated.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 26 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

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