Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance
Date Submitted: Oct 15, 2022
Date Accepted: Mar 7, 2023
Date Submitted to PubMed: Mar 8, 2023
Hesitancy about SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen testing in China: a nationwide cross-sectional study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Rapid antigen testing (RAT) is useful in diagnosing large numbers of acute asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, hesitancy about RAT may compromise its implementation.
Objective:
We aimed to understand the prevalence and correlates of hesitancy about RAT among adults uninfected with COVID-19 in mainland China.
Methods:
A national cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults uninfected with COVID-19 in mainland China between 29 April and 10 May 2022. Each participants completed an online questionnaire to provide information on sociodemographic characteristics, experiences of COVID-19 restrictions, knowledge of and attitude towards COVID-19 and its screening. Logistic regression with the sparse group minimax concave penalty (MCP) was used to assess correlates of hesitancy.
Results:
A total of 5388 adults were recruited (52% were men, median age: 32 years). 12.75% (687) were hesitant about RAT for COVID-19. Those who were from the central region (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.815, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.441-2.278), and received COVID-19 information from traditional media (1.544, 1.279-1.863) were significantly more likely to report hesitancy about RAT. However, those who were women (0.720, 0.599-0.864), older (0.982, 0.969-0.995), had postgraduate education (0.612, 0.435-0.858), had children (< 6 years old) and elders (> 60 years old) in family (0.685, 0.510-0.911), had better knowledge about COVID-19 (0.942, 0.916-0.970), and had mental health disorders (0.795, 0.646-0.975) were more willing to take RAT.
Conclusions:
Hesitancy about COVID-19 was low but may compromise the scale-up of RAT. Efforts should be made to improve the awareness and acceptance of RAT among men, younger adults, individuals with lower education or salary, families without children and elders, individuals who access COVID-19 information via traditional media.
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