COVID-19 self-testing in Nigeria: Stakeholders' opinions and perspectives on its value for case detection.
<h4>Background</h4>COVID-19 testing coverage is limited in Nigeria. Access to rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen-detection self-testing kits may help improve the detection of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic cases and increase the country's low rate of SARS-CoV-2 testing. Before implementi...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2023-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282570 |
| _version_ | 1797837891229974528 |
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| author | Veronica A Undelikwo Sonjelle Shilton Morenike Oluwatoyin Folayan Oluwatoyin Alaba Elena Ivanova Reipold Guillermo Z Martínez-Pérez |
| author_facet | Veronica A Undelikwo Sonjelle Shilton Morenike Oluwatoyin Folayan Oluwatoyin Alaba Elena Ivanova Reipold Guillermo Z Martínez-Pérez |
| author_sort | Veronica A Undelikwo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <h4>Background</h4>COVID-19 testing coverage is limited in Nigeria. Access to rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen-detection self-testing kits may help improve the detection of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic cases and increase the country's low rate of SARS-CoV-2 testing. Before implementing self-testing in Nigeria, assessing the population's perceptions regarding this approach is imperative. In mid-2021, an exploratory cross-sectional qualitative research was conducted to investigate stakeholders' values and preferences for SARS-CoV-2 self-testing in Nigeria.<h4>Methods</h4>In-person and online semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with healthcare workers, representatives of civil society, and potential implementors of self-testing delivery programs were used to explore values and perceptions around access to conventional provider-initiated COVID-19 testing. Topics included the public's values in relation to SARS-CoV-2 self-testing, the safe and effective use of SARS-CoV-2 self-testing, and likely actions upon receiving a positive SARS-CoV-2 self-test result. A thematic analysis approach was applied.<h4>Results</h4>The 58 informants (29 female) reported that Nigeria has limited availability of conventional provider-delivered SARS-CoV-2 testing. While just a few informants were familiar with SARS-CoV-2 self-testing, they generally supported using self-testing as an approach that they felt could assist with early case detection and improve access to testing. Concerns relating to the use of self-testing mainly related to the ability of low-literate individuals to use and interpret the self-tests, the affordability of self-tests, equity of access, and the availability of healthcare system support for those who self-test positive.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Although the Nigerian public perceive multiple benefits associated with access to SARS-CoV-2 self-testing, the perceived inefficiency of the national health service delivery system may limit the access of users of the kits to psychosocial and clinical support. Nevertheless, in Nigeria, where COVID-19 vaccine coverage is low and the risk of further waves of COVID-19 is high, self-testing may assist in the prompt detection of cases and contribute to halting the spread of the virus. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T15:31:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-268861ebb6e14c6b822714a7dd3cfbd1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T15:31:59Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-268861ebb6e14c6b822714a7dd3cfbd12023-04-28T05:31:47ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032023-01-01184e028257010.1371/journal.pone.0282570COVID-19 self-testing in Nigeria: Stakeholders' opinions and perspectives on its value for case detection.Veronica A UndelikwoSonjelle ShiltonMorenike Oluwatoyin FolayanOluwatoyin AlabaElena Ivanova ReipoldGuillermo Z Martínez-Pérez<h4>Background</h4>COVID-19 testing coverage is limited in Nigeria. Access to rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen-detection self-testing kits may help improve the detection of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic cases and increase the country's low rate of SARS-CoV-2 testing. Before implementing self-testing in Nigeria, assessing the population's perceptions regarding this approach is imperative. In mid-2021, an exploratory cross-sectional qualitative research was conducted to investigate stakeholders' values and preferences for SARS-CoV-2 self-testing in Nigeria.<h4>Methods</h4>In-person and online semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with healthcare workers, representatives of civil society, and potential implementors of self-testing delivery programs were used to explore values and perceptions around access to conventional provider-initiated COVID-19 testing. Topics included the public's values in relation to SARS-CoV-2 self-testing, the safe and effective use of SARS-CoV-2 self-testing, and likely actions upon receiving a positive SARS-CoV-2 self-test result. A thematic analysis approach was applied.<h4>Results</h4>The 58 informants (29 female) reported that Nigeria has limited availability of conventional provider-delivered SARS-CoV-2 testing. While just a few informants were familiar with SARS-CoV-2 self-testing, they generally supported using self-testing as an approach that they felt could assist with early case detection and improve access to testing. Concerns relating to the use of self-testing mainly related to the ability of low-literate individuals to use and interpret the self-tests, the affordability of self-tests, equity of access, and the availability of healthcare system support for those who self-test positive.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Although the Nigerian public perceive multiple benefits associated with access to SARS-CoV-2 self-testing, the perceived inefficiency of the national health service delivery system may limit the access of users of the kits to psychosocial and clinical support. Nevertheless, in Nigeria, where COVID-19 vaccine coverage is low and the risk of further waves of COVID-19 is high, self-testing may assist in the prompt detection of cases and contribute to halting the spread of the virus.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282570 |
| spellingShingle | Veronica A Undelikwo Sonjelle Shilton Morenike Oluwatoyin Folayan Oluwatoyin Alaba Elena Ivanova Reipold Guillermo Z Martínez-Pérez COVID-19 self-testing in Nigeria: Stakeholders' opinions and perspectives on its value for case detection. PLoS ONE |
| title | COVID-19 self-testing in Nigeria: Stakeholders' opinions and perspectives on its value for case detection. |
| title_full | COVID-19 self-testing in Nigeria: Stakeholders' opinions and perspectives on its value for case detection. |
| title_fullStr | COVID-19 self-testing in Nigeria: Stakeholders' opinions and perspectives on its value for case detection. |
| title_full_unstemmed | COVID-19 self-testing in Nigeria: Stakeholders' opinions and perspectives on its value for case detection. |
| title_short | COVID-19 self-testing in Nigeria: Stakeholders' opinions and perspectives on its value for case detection. |
| title_sort | covid 19 self testing in nigeria stakeholders opinions and perspectives on its value for case detection |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282570 |
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