SARS-CoV-2 self-testing in Peru: a cross-sectional survey of values and attitudes of the general population

• Published in: BMJ open 2023-07, Vol.13 (7), p.e068980-e068980
• Main Authors: Martínez-Pérez, Guillermo Z, Shilton, Sonjelle, Mallma Salazar, Patricia Silvia, Pflucker Oses, Paola, Torres-Slimming, Paola Alejandra, Batheja, Deepshikha, Banerji, Abhik, Mallery, Amber, Ivanova Reipold, Elena, Carcamo, Cesar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Antigens; Attitude; Attitudes; COVID-19; COVID-19 - diagnosis; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 diagnostic tests; COVID-19 Testing; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dependent variables; EPIDEMIOLOGY; Female; Health facilities; Humans; Male; Pandemics; Participation; Peru - epidemiology; Polls & surveys; Public Health; Questionnaires; Rural areas; SARS-CoV-2; Self-Testing; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Surveys and Questionnaires; Willingness to pay
• ISSN: 2044-6055; 2044-6055
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068980

ObjectivesTo assess the values of and attitudes towards the use of rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen-detection tests for self-testing in a rural and an urban area in Peru.DesignCross-sectional, street-based population survey.SettingA series of over 400 randomly selected street points in Valle del Mantaro and in Lima.Participants438 respondents (203 female) participated. They were all older than 17 years and provided informed consent for participation.InterventionAll respondents answered on the spot, a 35-item questionnaire developed in KoboToolbox.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrimary outcomes of interest were: likelihood to use a SARS-CoV-2 self-test; willingness to pay for a SARS-CoV-2 self-test and likelihood to comply with recommended actions following a positive SARS-CoV-2 self-test result. Bivariate analyses and Poisson regression (PR) analyses were performed to identify significant associations between dependent variables and independent variables pertaining to respondents’ characteristics, risk perception and previous experiences with conventional COVID-19 testing.ResultsOf the 438 respondents, 51.49% had previous experience with conventional COVID-19 testing; 20.37% had COVID-19 disease; 86.96% accepted the idea of SARS-CoV-2 self-testing; and, 78.95% would be likely to use it if needed. Almost all (94.75%) would pay for a self-testing device (mean acceptable payment: US$10.4) if it was not provided free of charge by health authorities. Overall, 93.12%, 86.93% and 85.32% would self-isolate, report the results and warn their contacts, respectively. Being a female (adjusted PR 1.05, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.09, p