Increasing access and uptake of SARS-CoV-2 at-home tests using a community-engaged approach

Abstract

Inequalities around COVID-19 testing and vaccination persist in the U.S. health system. We investigated whether a community-engaged approach could be used to distribute free, at-home, rapid SARS-CoV-2 tests to underserved populations. Between November 18-December 31, 2021, 400,000 tests were successfully distributed via 67 community partners and a mobile unit to a majority Hispanic/Latino/Spanish population in Merced County, California. Testing before gathering (59 %) was the most common testing reason. Asians versus Whites were more likely to test for COVID-19 if they had close contact with someone who may have been positive (odds ratio [OR] = 3.4, 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 1.7–6.7). Minors versus adults were more likely to test if they had close contact with someone who was confirmed positive (OR = 1.7, 95 % CI = 1.0–3.0), whereas Asian (OR = 4.1, 95 % CI = 1.2–13.7) and Hispanic/Latino/Spanish (OR = 2.5, 95 % CI = 1.0–6.6) versus White individuals were more likely to test if they had a positive household member. Asians versus Whites were more likely to receive a positive test result. Minors were less likely than adults to have been vaccinated (OR = 0.2, 95 % CI = 0.1–0.3). Among unvaccinated individuals, those who completed the survey in English versus Spanish indicated they were more likely to get vaccinated in the future (OR = 8.2, 95 % CI = 1.5–44.4). Asians versus Whites were less likely to prefer accessing oral COVID medications from a pharmacy/drug store only compared with a doctor’s office or community setting (OR = 0.3, 95 % CI = 0.2–0.6). Study findings reinforce the need for replicable and scalable community-engaged strategies for reducing COVID-19 disparities by increasing SARS-CoV-2 test and vaccine access and uptake.