Assessing Values and Preferences Toward SARS-CoV-2 Self-testing Among the General Population and Their Representatives, Health Care Personnel, and Decision-Makers: Protocol for a Multicountry Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

Background Accessible, safe, and client-centered SARS-CoV-2 testing services are an effective way to halt its transmission. Testing enables infected individuals to isolate or quarantine to prevent further transmission. In countries with limited health systems and laboratory capacity, it can be challenging to provide accessible and safe screening for COVID-19. Self-testing provides a convenient, private, and safe testing option; however, it also raises important concerns about lack of counseling and ensuring timely reporting of self-test results to national surveillance systems. Investigating community members’ views and perceptions regarding SARS-CoV-2 self-testing is crucial to inform the most effective and safe strategies for implementing said testing. Objective We aimed to determine whether SARS-CoV-2 self-testing was useful to diagnose and prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 for populations in low-resource settings and under which circumstances it would be acceptable. Methods This multisite, mixed methods, observational study will be conducted in 9 countries—Brazil, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Peru, the Philippines, and South Africa—and will consists of 2 components: cross-sectional surveys and interviews (semistructured and group) among 4 respondent groupings: the general population, general population representatives, health care workers, and decision-makers. General population and health care worker survey responses will be analyzed separately from each other, using bivariate and multivariate inferential analysis and descriptive statistics. Semistructured interviews and group interviews will be audiorecorded, transcribed, and coded for thematic comparative analysis. Results As of November 19, 2021, participant enrollment is ongoing; 4364 participants have been enrolled in the general population survey, and 2233 participants have been enrolled in the health care workers survey. In the qualitative inquiry, 298 participants have been enrolled. We plan to complete data collection by December 31, 2021 and publish results in 2022 via publications, presentations at conferences, and dissemination events specifically targeted at local decision-makers, civil society, and patient groups. Conclusions The views and perceptions of local populations are crucial in the discussion of the safest strategies for implementing SARS-CoV-2 self-testing. We intend to identify sociocultural specificities that may hinder or accelerate the widespread utilization of SARS-CoV-2 self-testing. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/33088

Self-testing for SARS-CoV-2 in São Paulo, Brazil: results of a population-based values and attitudes survey

“…People’s attitudes toward the acceptability of self-diagnostics are context-dependent, and can be mediated by cost, design, accuracy, accessibility, and health authorities’ endorsement of self-testing for infectious diseases, among other factors. Our survey was designed to assess what the predictors of acceptability might be in a variety of countries [ 25 ]. As per our regression analyses, individuals with a secondary education or who are working full-time for an employer might have higher odds of being likely to using a self-test when needed, while those living in a household with people at increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease might have lower odds of being likely to using a self-test.…”

“…In January 2022, the Brazil Ministry of Health requested its National Health Surveillance Agency ( Anvisa , as per its Portuguese acronym) to approve self-testing for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil [ 25 ]. Two months later, the first Anvisa-approved self-test became available to the public in private pharmacies.…”

Values and preferences of the general population in Indonesia in relation to rapid COVID‐19 antigen self‐tests: A cross‐sectional survey

“…A 35‐item structured questionnaire was used; the questionnaire was informed by a previous assessment of communities' values and preferences for hepatitis C virus self‐testing carried out by FIND, the global alliance for diagnostics [ 15 , 16 ]. The questionnaire included items on respondents' socio‐demographics; perception of risk of COVID‐19; experiences with conventional COVID‐19 testing; knowledge of other self‐test kits; likelihood‐to‐use a SARS‐CoV‐2 self‐test; willingness‐to‐pay for a SARS‐CoV‐2 self‐test; and likely actions after self‐testing for SARS‐CoV‐2 [ 17 ]. This questionnaire was designed in English, translated into Indonesian, and pre‐piloted in Jakarta in the premises of Peduli Hati Bangsa.…”

Self-Testing for COVID-19 in São Paulo, Brazil: Results of a Population-Based Values and Attitudes Survey

“…A 35-point questionnaire was used; the questionnaire had been informed by previous FIND-led studies of communities' values around self-testing for HCV (21). It included items about respondents' socio-demographics; previous experiences with conventional COVID-19 testing; knowledge of other self-tests; likelihood to use self-testing; willingness to pay for self-testing; barriers to using self-testing; and likely actions upon self-testing positive or negative for SARS-CoV-2 [25]. The questionnaire was designed in English, translated into Portuguese, and pre-piloted in São Paulo among staff in the premises of the survey implementing organization, Instituto Locomotiva.…”