Community-based SARS-CoV-2 testing in low-income neighbourhoods in Rotterdam: Results from a pilot study

BackgroundHigh incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and low testing uptake were reported in low-income neighbourhoods in Rotterdam. We aimed to improve willingness and access to testing by introducing community-based test facilities, and to evaluate the effective...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of global health 2022-10, Vol.12, p.05042, Article 05042
Main Authors: Vink, Martijn, Iglói, Zsófia, Fanoy, Ewout B, van Beek, Janko, Boelsums, Timo, de Graaf, Miranda, Voeten, Helene A.C.M., Molenkamp, Richard, Koopmans, Marion PG, Mevissen, Fraukje EF
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antigens
Asymptomatic
Contact tracing
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Family income
Global health
Households
Income
Laboratories
Low income groups
Medical screening
Neighborhoods
Pandemics
Population
Research Theme 1: COVID-19 Pandemic
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Socioeconomic factors
Test facilities
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Summary:BackgroundHigh incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and low testing uptake were reported in low-income neighbourhoods in Rotterdam. We aimed to improve willingness and access to testing by introducing community-based test facilities, and to evaluate the effectiveness of a rapid antigen detection test (RDT).MethodsTwo to eleven test facilities operated consecutively in three low-income neighbourhoods in Rotterdam, offering the options of walk-in or appointments. Background characteristics were collected at intake and one nasopharyngeal swab was taken and processed using both RDT and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Visitors were asked to join a survey for evaluation purposes.ResultsIn total, 19 773 visitors were tested – 9662 (48.9%) without an appointment. Walk-in visitors were older, lived more often in the proximity of the test facilities, and reported coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-related symptoms less often than by-appointment visitors. For 67.7% of the visitors, this was the first time they got tested. A total of 1211 (6.1%) tested SARS-CoV-2-positive with RT-PCR, of whom 309 (25.5%) were asymptomatic. Test uptake increased among residents of the pilot neighbourhoods, especially in the older age groups, compared to people living in comparable neighbourhoods without community-based testing facilities. RDT detected asymptomatic individuals with 71.8% sensitivity, which was acceptable in this high prevalence setting. Visitors reported positive attitudes towards the test facilities and welcomed the easy access.ConclusionsOffering community-based SARS-CoV-2 testing seems a promising approach for increasing testing uptake among specific populations in low-income neighbourhoods.
ISSN:2047-2978
2047-2986
2047-2986
DOI:10.7189/jogh.12.05042