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Abstract

Background

Following the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant spread, the use of unsupervised antigenic rapid diagnostic tests (self-tests) increased.

Aim

This study aimed to measure self-test uptake and factors associated with self-testing.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study from 20 January to 2 May 2022, the case series from a case–control study on factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection were used to analyse self-testing habits in France. A multivariable quasi-Poisson regression was used to explore the variables associated with self-testing among symptomatic cases who were not contacts of another infected individual. The control series from the same study was used as a proxy for the self-test background rate in the non-infected population of France.

Results

During the study period, 179,165 cases who tested positive through supervised tests were recruited. Of these, 64.7% had performed a self-test in the 3 days preceding this supervised test, of which 79,038 (68.2%) were positive. The most frequently reported reason for self-testing was the presence of symptoms (64.6%). Among symptomatic cases who were not aware of being contacts of another case, self-testing was positively associated with being female, higher education, household size, being a teacher and negatively associated with older age, not French by birth, healthcare-related work and immunosuppression. Among the control series, 12% self-tested during the 8 days preceding questionnaire filling, with temporal heterogeneity.

Conclusion

The analysis showed high self-test uptake in France with some inequalities which must be addressed through education and facilitated access (cost and availability) for making it a more efficient epidemic control tool.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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2023-05-04
2024-12-21
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SARS-CoV-2 self-test uptake and factors associated with self-testing during Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 waves in France, January to May 2022
<p class="citation"> <span>Citation style for this article:</span> <span class="meta-value authors"> <a href="/search?value1=Olivier+Supplisson&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Supplisson Olivier</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Tiffany+Charmet&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Charmet Tiffany</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Simon+Galmiche&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Galmiche Simon</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Laura+Schaeffer&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Schaeffer Laura</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Olivia+Ch%C3%A9ny&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Chény Olivia</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Anne+L%C3%A9vy&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Lévy Anne</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Nathan+Jeandet&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Jeandet Nathan</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Fa%C3%AFza+Omar&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Omar Faïza</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Christophe+David&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">David Christophe</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Alexandra+Mailles&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Mailles Alexandra</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Arnaud+Fontanet&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Fontanet Arnaud</a></span>. SARS-CoV-2 self-test uptake and factors associated with self-testing during Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 waves in France, January to May 2022. <a href="/content/ecdc">Euro Surveill.</a> 2023;28(18):pii=2200781. <a href="https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.18.2200781" title="doi link" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.18.2200781</a> <span class="ES_Article_citation"> <span class="generated">Received</span>: 28 Sept 2022;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span class="generated">Accepted</span>: 03 Mar 2023 </span> </p>
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