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- Title
Evaluation of COVID-19 antigen rapid diagnostic tests for self-testing in Lesotho and Zambia.
- Authors
Bresser, Moniek; Erhardt, Rahel Milena; Shanaube, Kwame; Simwinga, Musonda; Mahlatsi, Palesa Agnes; Belus, Jennifer; Schaap, Albertus; Amstutz, Alain; Gachie, Thomas; Glass, Tracy Renée; Kangololo, Bxyn; 'Mota, John; Floyd, Sian; Katende, Bulemba; Klinkenberg, Eveline; Ayles, Helen; Reither, Klaus; Ruperez, Maria
- Abstract
Introduction: The use of antigen rapid tests (Ag-RDTs) for self-testing is an important element of the COVID-19 control strategy and has been widely supported. However, scale-up of self-testing for COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa is still insufficient and there is limited evidence on the acceptability of self-testing and agreement between Ag-RDT self-testing and Ag-RDT testing by professional users. A joint collaboration (Botnar Research Centre for Child Health-European & Developing countries Clinical Trials Partnership)was established between Lesotho and Zambia to address these gaps in relation to Ag-RDT self-testing and contribute to increasing its use in the region. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Firstly, 14 in-depth cognitive interviews (5 in Zambia and 9 in Lesotho) were performed to assess the participants' understanding of the instructions for use (IFU) for self-testing. In a second step, evaluation of test agreement between Ag-RDT self-testing and Ag-RDT testing by professional user using SD Biosensor STANDARD Q COVID-19 Ag-RDT was performed. In Zambia, usability and acceptability of self-testing were also assessed. Results: Cognitive interviews in Lesotho and Zambia showed overall good understanding of IFU. In Zambia, acceptability of self-testing was high, though some participants had difficulties in conducting certain steps in the IFU correctly. Agreement between Ag-RDT self-test and Ag-RDT by professional users in Lesotho (428 participants) and Zambia (1136 participants) was high, 97.3% (403/414, 95% CI: 95.3–98.7) and 99.8% (1116/1118, 95% CI: 99.4–100) respectively. Conclusion: Findings from this study support the use of Ag-RDT self-testing within COVID-19 control strategies in sub-Saharan Africa, contributing to increase the testing capacity and access in hard-to reach settings.
- Subjects
ZAMBIA; LESOTHO; SUB-Saharan Africa; RAPID diagnostic tests; COVID-19; COGNITIVE interviewing; ANTIGEN analysis; COVID-19 testing; DEVELOPING countries
- Publication
PLoS ONE, 2024, Vol 19, Issue 2, p1
- ISSN
1932-6203
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0280105