2127. Parental Acceptance of Over-the-Counter (OTC) Testing for Streptococcal Pharyngitis

Abstract

BackgroundGroup A Streptococcus (GAS), is currently diagnosed by throat culture or rapid antigen detection test (RADT) by a healthcare provider (HP), usually in an outpatient (OP) setting. There is current interest in expanding OTC diagnostics (FDA approved for HIV and hepatitis C) to other infectious diseases such as GAS pharyngitis. There are no data on parental acceptance of such a test. Our aim was to determine parental acceptance of expanding OTC diagnostic availability for GAS pharyngitis testing.MethodsCaregivers of 3–18 years old in OP primary care pediatric clinics were given a questionnaire: data included demographics (excluding all patient identifiers), interest in buying/using an OTC GAS test, education level, type of health insurance (HI), comfort level swabbing their child, interest in available support/free hotline with the test. Statistical analysis included Mann–Whitney U test for non-continuous and T-test for continuous variables.Results90 questionnaires were collected, 14 duplicates excluded. 34 (45%) parents indicated they would buy an OTC GAS test, 35 (46%) would not, 4 (5%) were unsure, 3 (4%) did not respond. There was no correlation between interest in OTC test and age (P = NS), or education level (P = NS). There was a trend of OTC test interest among those with private HI vs. Medicaid (P = 0.067). There was a statistically significant association between interest in buying an OTC GAS test and the following variables: high self-swab comfort level and availability of support (P = 0.009 and 0.001, respectively). The majority of participants [73/76 (96%)] did not respond to questions about acceptable pricing.ConclusionThere was mixed interest in OTC GAS testing among respondents. Neither age nor educational level affected interest. Surprisingly, 96% of respondents declined to select a price they would pay for an OTC GAS test. Greater interest in OTC GAS testing among respondents with private HI suggests those parents are more likely to purchase the kits to avoid an HP visit (and co-payment). Since most respondents were comfortable self-swabbing or unsure, further education including swab tutorial and support availability may lead to greater comfort level with such testing.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.