Are self-test kits still relevant post COVID-19 pandemic? Qualitative study on working adults' perceptions.

Autor: Lee GYL; Health Sciences Authority, 11 Biopolis Way #11-01 Helios, Singapore 138667, Singapore City, Singapore; Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Tahir Foundation Building, 12 Science Drive 2, #10-01, Singapore 117549, Singapore City, Singapore. Electronic address: e0802475@u.nus.edu., Lim RBT; Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Tahir Foundation Building, 12 Science Drive 2, #10-01, Singapore 117549, Singapore City, Singapore. Electronic address: ephlbtr@nus.edu.sg.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Infection, disease & health [Infect Dis Health] 2024 May; Vol. 29 (2), pp. 73-80. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Dec 03.
DOI: 10.1016/j.idh.2023.11.001
Abstrakt: Background: Other than self-isolation measures, self-testing is likely to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and may become a valuable approach in future outbreaks of infectious diseases. This study delves into the perceptions and experiences of working adults who utilised COVID-19 self-test kits in Singapore during the post-pandemic period.
Methods: Employing a qualitative descriptive design, in-depth interviews were conducted with 40 working adults from diverse occupations, with a median age of 35 years. Thematic analysis of transcribed interviews was carried out by two independent qualitative research-trained researchers.
Results: Facilitators included personal motivations like safeguarding vulnerable individuals and the convenience of user-friendly self-test kits. Proximal environmental factors encompassed situations involving close contacts and large gatherings, while distal factors involved workplace regulations, public health campaigns, mass media influence, and trust in authorised kits. Nonetheless, barriers include discomfort, cost, uncertainty about proper technique, and evolving testing requirements. Positive test results prompted participants to notify contacts and self-isolate, whereas negative results encouraged a return to normalcy. Participants recommend sustained testing for new variants and vulnerable groups, though some view it as unnecessary due to pandemic normalisation.
Conclusions: Self-testing emerged as a social phenomenon influenced by societal obligations and relationships across multiple levels. Effective communication strategies may play a role in fostering trust and ensuring that working adults sustain the practice of self-testing; therefore, further research is needed to explore their potential impact. Such efforts could be valuable for maintaining vigilance and achieving effective disease control in the post-COVID-19 pandemic landscape.
Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.
(Copyright © 2023 Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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