Factors influencing face mask selection and design specifications: Results from pilot study amongst Malaysian Umrah pilgrims

Hajj is the largest annual gathering of Muslims during which time over two million people from different parts of the world are gathered within a small area, leading to very high risks of acute respiratory infections (ARI) for the pilgrims. Therefore, preventive measures and controls should be implemented, including the implementation of non-pharmaceutical prevention methods such as the use of appropriate face masks, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, social distancing, and quarantine. A pilot study was conducted in 2013 to identify the types of face masks used by Malaysian Umrah pilgrims as well as to identify the problems pertaining to the face masks being used and to understand the factors influencing the selection of face masks by Malaysian pilgrims. Observations and survey methods were used in the pilot study. Data was collected from thirty respondents through a survey. This paper presents the results of the pilot study. Based on the knowledge of factors influencing face mask usage and selection from the pilot study, new face mask design(s) will be proposed for the Malaysian pilgrims. It is anticipated that the use of new face mask design(s) can reduce the risk of acute respiratory infections in Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.