Equitable access to COVID-19 diagnostics: factors associated with the uptake of rapid antigen testing in Victoria, Australia, January - February 2022.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Accessible and accurate diagnostics are critical to control communicable diseases. Uptake of COVID-19 rapid antigen (RA) testing requires physical and financial access to tests, knowledge about usage, motivation, and ability to report results. We sought to understand patterns of and factors associated with RA test uptake in Victoria during a period of high caseload, RA test promotion, and difficulty accessing RA and PCR testing. We hypothesise RA test uptake is indicated by the ratio of cases diagnosed by RA test (probable) to those diagnosed using PCR (confirmed) (p:c).

Methods

Analysing case records, trends in p:c were assessed, between regions, sex, age groups, socio-economic strata and cultural diversity. Logistic regression assessed associations between case

SUBMITTER: McCormick E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10568856 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature