Abstract
BackgroundThe Internet enables an unprecedented opportunity to access a broad range of self-tests (e.g. testing for HIV, cancer, hepatitis B/C), which can be conducted by lay consumers without the help of a health professional. However, there is only little knowledge about the determinants of the use of self-tests. Thus, the aims of this study were (1) to experimentally investigate the impact of situational and application-related characteristics on the intention to use a self-test (ST), compared to being tested by a health professional at home (HPH) or at a doctor’s office (HPD), (2) to examine the applicability of social-cognitive health behaviour theories on self-testing, and (3) to explore the advantages of integrating technological affinity into social-cognitive health behaviour models to predict self-testing.MethodsIn a factorial survey, 1248 vignettes were rated by 208 students. The core concepts of social-cognitive health behaviour theories, technological affinity, and different situational and application-related characteristics were investigated.ResultsIntention to ST was only predicted by the medical expertise of the tested person, while HPH and HPD were also associated with the application purpose of the test and the presence of an emotionally supporting person. Perceived severity and outcome-expectancy significantly predicted intention to self-test. Technological enthusiastic people had a higher intention to use a self-test.ConclusionsIntention to ST, HPH and HPD were predicted by different situational and application-related characteristics. Social-cognitive health behaviour theories can be applied to predict self-testing and do not need to be extended by technological affinity.
Highlights
The Internet enables an unprecedented opportunity to access a broad range of self-tests, which can be conducted by lay consumers without the help of a health professional
Self-tests can be defined as tests on body materials that are initiated by consumers to diagnose a particular disorder or risk factor, and that are conducted without the involvement of a health professional [3]
Factorial surveys are appropriate when researchers want to study actual determinants and combinations of determinants of human judgments, because persons might not be aware of the influences of certain factors on their judgments, and they might not be capable of explicating such influences [28]
Summary
The Internet enables an unprecedented opportunity to access a broad range of self-tests (e.g. testing for HIV, cancer, hepatitis B/C), which can be conducted by lay consumers without the help of a health professional. Given the current shortage of physicians in Germany [12], especially in rural areas [13], the need for and use of self-tests could increase in the future. This assumption is supported by the results of interviews with experts in the development of innovative medical diagnostic devices, who expect a further technological breakthrough of diagnostic devices for end-users in the coming 10 years [14]
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