Abstract
Background: Brazil is among the countries in South America where the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the general population hardest. Self-testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection is one of the community-based strategies that could help asymptomatic individuals at-risk of COVID-19, as well as those living in areas that are difficult for health personnel to reach, to know their infectious status and contribute to impeding further transmission of the virus.
Methods: A population-based survey was conducted in November 2021, to assess the acceptability of rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen self-testing among the population of São Paulo. Survey respondents were approached at more than 400 different street-points that were randomly selected using a five-stage randomization process. A 35-item structured questionnaire was used. Dependent variables for our analyses were the likelihood to use and willingness to pay for self-testing, and the likelihood of taking preventive measures to prevent onward transmission of SARS-CoV-2 following a reactive self-test result. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed.
Results: Overall, 417 respondents (44.12% female) participated; 19.66% had previously had COVID-19 disease. A minority (9.59%) felt at high-risk of COVID-19. The majority of both females and males (73.91% and 60.09%, respectively) were in favor of the idea of SARS-CoV-2 self-testing. Overall, if self-tests were available, almost half of the sample would be very likely (n = 54, 12.95%) or likely (n = 151, 36.21%) to use one if they felt they needed to. Upon receiving a positive self-test result, the majority of respondents would communicate it (88.49%), request facility-based post-test counseling (98.32%), self-isolate (97.60%), and warn their close contacts (96.64%).
Conclusion: Rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen self-testing could be an acceptable screening tool in São Paulo. The population would be empowered by having access to a technology that would allow them to test, even if asymptomatic, when traveling, or going to work or school. If there is a surge in the incidence of cases, self-testing could be a good approach for mass case detection by Brazil’s already overstretched Unified Health System.
Keywords: Brazil; COVID-19; Home diagnostics; SARS-CoV-2 testing; Self-testing; Survey.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, Brazil, SARS-CoV-2 testing, survey., self-testing, home diagnostics, 【초록키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, randomization, survey, SARS-COV-2 infection, COVID-19 pandemic, Transmission, virus, COVID-19 disease, Health, Asymptomatic, male, female, Rapid, General population, incidence, SARS-CoV-2 antigen, South America, questionnaire, close contact, preventive measure, dependent variable, help, favor, onward transmission, positive, counseling, self-isolate, System, approach, country, home, Prevent, asymptomatic individual, likelihood, reactive, Randomly, selected, performed, was used, conducted, receiving, majority, contribute, analysis, regression analysis, 【제목키워드】 SARS-CoV-2,