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Community-based SARS-CoV-2 testing in low-income neighbourhoods in Rotterdam: Results from a pilot study

BACKGROUND: High incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and low testing uptake were reported in low-income neighbourhoods in Rotterdam. We aimed to improve willingness and access to testing by introducing community-based test facilities, and to evaluate the effecti...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Vink, Martijn, Iglói, Zsófia, Fanoy, Ewout B, van Beek, Janko, Boelsums, Timo, de Graaf, Miranda, Voeten, Helene A.C.M., Molenkamp, Richard, Koopmans, Marion PG, Mevissen, Fraukje EF
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: International Society of Global Health 2022
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9526478/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36181719
http://dx.doi.org/10.7189/jogh.12.05042
Descripción
Sumario:BACKGROUND: High incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and low testing uptake were reported in low-income neighbourhoods in Rotterdam. We aimed to improve willingness and access to testing by introducing community-based test facilities, and to evaluate the effectiveness of a rapid antigen detection test (RDT). METHODS: Two to eleven test facilities operated consecutively in three low-income neighbourhoods in Rotterdam, offering the options of walk-in or appointments. Background characteristics were collected at intake and one nasopharyngeal swab was taken and processed using both RDT and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Visitors were asked to join a survey for evaluation purposes. RESULTS: In total, 19 773 visitors were tested – 9662 (48.9%) without an appointment. Walk-in visitors were older, lived more often in the proximity of the test facilities, and reported coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-related symptoms less often than by-appointment visitors. For 67.7% of the visitors, this was the first time they got tested. A total of 1211 (6.1%) tested SARS-CoV-2-positive with RT-PCR, of whom 309 (25.5%) were asymptomatic. Test uptake increased among residents of the pilot neighbourhoods, especially in the older age groups, compared to people living in comparable neighbourhoods without community-based testing facilities. RDT detected asymptomatic individuals with 71.8% sensitivity, which was acceptable in this high prevalence setting. Visitors reported positive attitudes towards the test facilities and welcomed the easy access. CONCLUSIONS: Offering community-based SARS-CoV-2 testing seems a promising approach for increasing testing uptake among specific populations in low-income neighbourhoods.