Risk Management and Healthcare Policy (Nov 2023)
Public’s Willingness to Perform COVID-19 Self-Testing During the Transition to the Endemic Phase in Malaysia – A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Diana-Leh-Ching Ng,1 Mohd Amirulikhmar Bin Jamalludin,2 Xhi-Yan Gan,3 Siew-Yoong Ng,3 Muhammad Zulhusni Bin Mohamad Rasidin,4 Beverlyn Anak Felix,1 Nicholas M Jagang,5 Woweham Sindeh,6 Mohd Abdul Hafiz Bin Mohd Abdul Rahim,7 Seng-Beng Tan,8 Chee-Shee Chai1 1Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Malaysia; 2Department of Emergency and Trauma, Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching, Malaysia; 3Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 4Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II, Kota Bharu, Malaysia; 5Membakut Health Clinic, Ministry of Health, Beaufort, Malaysia; 6Telupid Health Clinic, Ministry of Health, Beluran, Malaysia; 7Department of Medicine, Sungai Buloh Hospital, Sungai Buloh, Malaysia; 8Palliative Care Unit, Subang Jaya Medical Center, Subang Jaya, Selangor, MalaysiaCorrespondence: Chee-Shee Chai, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Malaysia, Tel +6019-8188265, Email [email protected]: Malaysia entered the transition to the endemic phase of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on 1st April 2022. This study aims to determine the public’s willingness to perform COVID-19 self-testing. Factors that influenced their willingness were also assessed.Methods: A nationwide, cross-sectional, and population-based study was conducted online in Malaysia from 28th April 2023 to 4th June 2023. Individuals aged 18 years and above were enrolled through the snowball sampling method. Data were analyzed by using the Chi-Square test, independent t-test, and binary logistic regression.Results: One thousand four hundred fifty-three responses were included in the analysis. Of these respondents, 89.3% were willing, 4.1% were reluctant, and 6.6% remained hesitant to perform COVID-19 self-testing, The common reasons given by those willing to perform COVID-19 self-testing included being able to self-isolate (99.0%) and seek treatment (96.3%) earlier if tested positive. The common reasons against COVID-19 self-testing included the belief that COVID-19 is equivalent to the common flu (91.7%) and having received the COVID-19 vaccine (78.3%). The isolation policy for COVID-19 was the most significant consideration for those who were still hesitant (85.4%). Women [adjusted odds ratios (OR): 2.1, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 1.44– 3.00, p < 0.001], individuals with tertiary education (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.32– 3.26, p = 0.002), those vaccinated against COVID-19 (OR: 8.1, 95% CI: 2.63– 24.82, p < 0.001), and individuals with prior experience of COVID-19 self-testing (OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 2.84– 6.12, p < 0.001) showed a significantly higher willingness to engage in COVID-19 self-testing.Conclusion: The public exhibited a high willingness to perform COVID-19 self-testing during the transition to the endemic phase in Malaysia. Future strategies to promote COVID-19 self-testing uptake in Malaysia should focus on vulnerable groups, address the common concerns among those hesitant and reluctant, and highlight the advantages of COVID-19 self-testing.Keywords: COVID-19, self-testing, endemic, willingness, hesitant, Malaysia
