Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38360568›Full record

Observational studyBMC public health2024

Real world outcomes of distributing Lucira Check-It® COVID self-tests in Ontario, Canada: the GetaKit COVID study.

Lauren Orser, Janet E Squires, Alexandra Musten, Nikki Ho, Jennifer Lindsay, Nitika Pant Pai, Patrick O'Byrne

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in BMC public health, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Lauren OrserFaculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Rd, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada.
Janet E SquiresFaculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Rd, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada.
Alexandra MustenFaculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Rd, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada.
Nikki HoFaculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Rd, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada.
Jennifer LindsayFaculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Rd, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada.
Nitika Pant PaiDepartment of Medicine, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, 5252 Boulevard de Maisonneuve W., Montréal, QC, H4A 3S5, Canada.
Patrick O'ByrneFaculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Rd, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada. pjobyrne@uottawa.ca.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn Ontario, Canada we developed and implemented an online screening algorithm for the distribution of HIV self-tests, known as GetaKit. During the COVID pandemic, we adapted the GetaKit algorithm to screen for COVID based on population and infection data and distributed COVID rt-LAMP self-tests (using the Lucira Check-It®) to eligible participants.

methodsGetaKit/COVID was a prospective observational study that occurred over a 7-month period from September 2021 to April 2022. All potential participants completed an online registration and risk assessment, including demographic information, COVID symptoms and risk factors, and vaccination status. Bivariate comparisons were performed for three outcomes: results reporting status, vaccination status, and COVID diagnosis status. Data were analysed using Chi-Square for categorial covariates and Independent Samples T-Test and Mann-Whitney U test for continuous covariates. Bivariate logistic regression models were applied to examine associations between the covariates and outcomes.

resultsDuring the study period, we distributed 6469 COVID self-tests to 4160 eligible participants; 46% identified as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Colour (BIPOC). Nearly 70% of participants reported their COVID self-test results; 304 of which were positive. Overall, 91% also reported being vaccinated against COVID. Statistical analysis found living with five or fewer people, having tested for COVID previously, and being fully vaccinated were positive factors in results reporting. For COVID vaccination, people from large urban centers, who identified their ethnicity as white, and who reported previous COVID testing were more likely to be fully vaccinated. Finally, being identified as a contact of someone who had tested positive for COVID and the presence of COVID-related symptoms were found to be positive factors in diagnosis.

conclusionsWhile most participants who accessed this service were vaccinated against COVID and the majority of diagnoses were identified in participants who had symptoms of, or an exposure to, COVID, our program was able to appropriately link participants to recommended follow-up based on reported risks and results. These findings highlight the utility of online screening algorithms to provide health services, particularly for persons with historical barriers to healthcare access, such as BIPOC or lower-income groups.

Indexed as

COVID-19COVID-19 TestingHumansMass ScreeningOntarioVaccinationCOVIDGetaKitHealth servicesOnline testingRapid testingSelf-testing

Identifiers

PMID38360568
PMCPMC10870641

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.