Implementing a pilot study of COVID-19 self-testing in high-risk populations and remote locations: results and lessons learnt
Abstract Background Rapid antigen-detection tests for SARS-CoV-2 self-testing represent a useful tool for pandemic control and expanding access to community-level case screening. COVID-19 self-tests have been extensively used in high-income countries since 2021; however, their introduction and progr...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-17930-2 |
| _version_ | 1797272868845780992 |
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| author | Elena Marbán-Castro Vladimer Getia Maia Alkhazashvili Maia Japaridze Ia Jikia Berra Erkosar Paula Del Rey-Puech Guillermo Z. Martínez-Pérez Paata Imnadze Amiran Gamkrelidze Olga Denisiuk Elena Ivanova Reipold Sonjelle Shilton |
| author_facet | Elena Marbán-Castro Vladimer Getia Maia Alkhazashvili Maia Japaridze Ia Jikia Berra Erkosar Paula Del Rey-Puech Guillermo Z. Martínez-Pérez Paata Imnadze Amiran Gamkrelidze Olga Denisiuk Elena Ivanova Reipold Sonjelle Shilton |
| author_sort | Elena Marbán-Castro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Rapid antigen-detection tests for SARS-CoV-2 self-testing represent a useful tool for pandemic control and expanding access to community-level case screening. COVID-19 self-tests have been extensively used in high-income countries since 2021; however, their introduction and programmatic implementation in low- and middle-income countries was delayed. We aimed to identify and continuously improve a weekly COVID-19 self-testing model among staff at healthcare facilities and schools. Methods This mixed-methods, observational prospective study was conducted in 5 healthcare centres and 24 schools in Georgia, between June and December 2022. The study comprised the integration of COVID-19 self-testing into the national mandatory testing programme for high-risk groups, with primary distribution of self-tests among staff performed weekly, plus secondary distribution to their household members. These use cases were selected because NCDC was seeking to strengthen their already strong weekly testing programme, by investigating self-testing to ease the burden of testing in the healthcare system. Online surveys and semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. Results In total, 2156 participants were enrolled (1963 female, 72%). At baseline and mid- and end-points, 88%, 97% and 99%, respectively, of participants agreed/strongly agreed they would self-test. Similarly, the majority were willing to report their self-testing results (88%, 98% and 96% at baseline and mid- and end-points, respectively). Weekly reporting of test results to the national COVID-19 database was high during all the implementation. There were 622 COVID-19 positive results reported, and linked to care, from 601 individuals (282 participants and 319 household members). Findings from qualitative interviews showed great satisfaction with self-testing for its convenience, ease of use, trust in the results, no need to travel for diagnostics, and increased perception of safety. Conclusions Our findings contribute to the evidence-base regarding self-testing strategies conducted via workplaces and secondary distribution to households. Willingness to perform a COVID-19 self-test increased after implementation. This pilot enhanced pandemic preparedness through expansion of the national self-testing reporting system, development of communications materials, changes in the national legal framework and coordination mechanisms, and improved perceptions around self-care in the community. The lessons learnt can inform operational aspects of the introduction and scale-up of self-care strategies. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:35:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-009addaea9a4494f94339c17c9fad835 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:35:28Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-009addaea9a4494f94339c17c9fad8352024-03-05T20:38:58ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582024-02-0124111810.1186/s12889-024-17930-2Implementing a pilot study of COVID-19 self-testing in high-risk populations and remote locations: results and lessons learntElena Marbán-Castro0Vladimer Getia1Maia Alkhazashvili2Maia Japaridze3Ia Jikia4Berra Erkosar5Paula Del Rey-Puech6Guillermo Z. Martínez-Pérez7Paata Imnadze8Amiran Gamkrelidze9Olga Denisiuk10Elena Ivanova Reipold11Sonjelle Shilton12FINDNational Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC)National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC)FINDFINDFINDFINDFINDNational Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC)National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC)FINDFINDFINDAbstract Background Rapid antigen-detection tests for SARS-CoV-2 self-testing represent a useful tool for pandemic control and expanding access to community-level case screening. COVID-19 self-tests have been extensively used in high-income countries since 2021; however, their introduction and programmatic implementation in low- and middle-income countries was delayed. We aimed to identify and continuously improve a weekly COVID-19 self-testing model among staff at healthcare facilities and schools. Methods This mixed-methods, observational prospective study was conducted in 5 healthcare centres and 24 schools in Georgia, between June and December 2022. The study comprised the integration of COVID-19 self-testing into the national mandatory testing programme for high-risk groups, with primary distribution of self-tests among staff performed weekly, plus secondary distribution to their household members. These use cases were selected because NCDC was seeking to strengthen their already strong weekly testing programme, by investigating self-testing to ease the burden of testing in the healthcare system. Online surveys and semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. Results In total, 2156 participants were enrolled (1963 female, 72%). At baseline and mid- and end-points, 88%, 97% and 99%, respectively, of participants agreed/strongly agreed they would self-test. Similarly, the majority were willing to report their self-testing results (88%, 98% and 96% at baseline and mid- and end-points, respectively). Weekly reporting of test results to the national COVID-19 database was high during all the implementation. There were 622 COVID-19 positive results reported, and linked to care, from 601 individuals (282 participants and 319 household members). Findings from qualitative interviews showed great satisfaction with self-testing for its convenience, ease of use, trust in the results, no need to travel for diagnostics, and increased perception of safety. Conclusions Our findings contribute to the evidence-base regarding self-testing strategies conducted via workplaces and secondary distribution to households. Willingness to perform a COVID-19 self-test increased after implementation. This pilot enhanced pandemic preparedness through expansion of the national self-testing reporting system, development of communications materials, changes in the national legal framework and coordination mechanisms, and improved perceptions around self-care in the community. The lessons learnt can inform operational aspects of the introduction and scale-up of self-care strategies.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-17930-2COVID-19SARS-CoV-2Self-testingDiagnosticHealthcareSchool |
| spellingShingle | Elena Marbán-Castro Vladimer Getia Maia Alkhazashvili Maia Japaridze Ia Jikia Berra Erkosar Paula Del Rey-Puech Guillermo Z. Martínez-Pérez Paata Imnadze Amiran Gamkrelidze Olga Denisiuk Elena Ivanova Reipold Sonjelle Shilton Implementing a pilot study of COVID-19 self-testing in high-risk populations and remote locations: results and lessons learnt BMC Public Health COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 Self-testing Diagnostic Healthcare School |
| title | Implementing a pilot study of COVID-19 self-testing in high-risk populations and remote locations: results and lessons learnt |
| title_full | Implementing a pilot study of COVID-19 self-testing in high-risk populations and remote locations: results and lessons learnt |
| title_fullStr | Implementing a pilot study of COVID-19 self-testing in high-risk populations and remote locations: results and lessons learnt |
| title_full_unstemmed | Implementing a pilot study of COVID-19 self-testing in high-risk populations and remote locations: results and lessons learnt |
| title_short | Implementing a pilot study of COVID-19 self-testing in high-risk populations and remote locations: results and lessons learnt |
| title_sort | implementing a pilot study of covid 19 self testing in high risk populations and remote locations results and lessons learnt |
| topic | COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 Self-testing Diagnostic Healthcare School |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-17930-2 |
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