Reasons for self-testing—beyond the passive users. Results from a nationwide sample in Germany

Abstract

The aims of this study were to investigate (1) the personal reasons for using a self-test, (2) the decisive motives for self-testing, and (3) why a self-test was preferred over a conventional diagnosis by a health professional. Participants were invited to an online survey in batches representative of the age and gender distribution in Germany. The research questions were investigated with open questions and questions with given responses. Qualitative content analysis was conducted based on the method described by Mayring. Overall, 980 personal reasons for conducting 709 self-tests were indicated by 505 self-testers, which were assigned to 13 main categories with 32 sub-categories. The two most frequently stated personal reasons for self-testing were ‘uncertainty/reassurance’ and ‘risk perception’ (e.g. hereditary risks, previous diseases). The decisive reason for self-testing was strongly associated with the disease the user expected to detect. Self-tests were preferred over a diagnosis by a health professional because of practical advantages. The majority of the German testers actively sought a self-test. Self-testers’ follow-up behaviour and their emotional perceptions need to be investigated.