Clinical and Demographic Differences in the Willingness to use Self-Administered At-Home COVID-19 Testing Measures among Persons with Opioid use Disorder

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting disadvantaged populations, including persons with opioid use disorder (OUD). Persons with OUD are at greater risk for direct (e.g., COVID-19 diagnosis, severe symptoms) and indirect consequences (relapse, overdose) of COVID-19. Given stay at home orders, at-home testing options may serve as a viable tool to curb the increase in COVID-19 transmission and adverse effects of COVID-19. Methods: From May to September 2020, we surveyed 110 persons in treatment for OUD about their willingness to use various self-administered at-home COVID-19 testing measures. Participants were stratified by age, gender, and racial-ethnic identity to observe differences in willingness to use COVID-19 tests. The three COVID-19 tests included a throat swab sample, a saliva-based sample, and a blood prick test. Results: A high willingness to use at-home COVID-19 tests was observed in patients in treatment for OUD. A greater proportion of females were willing to use a saliva-based test; greater proportions of White participants were willing to use a saliva based COVID-19 test compared to racial-ethnic minorities. Older aged participants (≥45 years old) reported greater rates of willingness to use a self-administered at home blood prick test for COVID-19. Conclusions: At-home testing measures for COVID-19 appear highly acceptable among people with OUD.

Self-tests for COVID-19: What is the evidence? A living systematic review and meta-analysis (2020–2023)

“…Across three studies in different populations, COVIDST uptake was 97% in school children, 92.5% in children with medical problems, and 45.2% in a mass self-testing study [41,43,53]. Across seven studies, willingness to use nasal self-tests ranged from 77% to 95.8% [2,[54][55][56][57][58][59].…”

“…Overall, COVIDST preference was higher among Caucasian people, urban populations, individuals with a college degree, and healthcare workers, as compared to ethnic minorities, rural populations, individuals with a lower education, and working in other occupations [ 32 , 51 , 59 , 63 , 67 , 68 ]. 94% of participants preferred throat swab-based self-test and 90% preferred saliva-based self-tests [ 55 ]. In another study, 95.4% participants preferred over-the-counter vending machines to obtain self-test kits [ 69 ].…”