Examining the association between reported COVID-19 symptoms and testing for COVID-19 in Canada: a cross-sectional survey.
- Publisher:
- BMJ Journals
- Publication Type:
- Journal Article
- Citation:
- BMJ Open, 2022, 12, (3), pp. 1-11
- Issue Date:
- 2022-03-04
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Field | Value | Language |
---|---|---|
dc.contributor.author | Pongou, R | |
dc.contributor.author | Ahinkorah, BO | |
dc.contributor.author | Mabeu, MC | |
dc.contributor.author | Agarwal, A | |
dc.contributor.author | Maltais, S | |
dc.contributor.author | Yaya, S | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2022-11-09T02:31:23Z | |
dc.date.available | 2022-11-09T02:31:23Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2022-03-04 | |
dc.identifier.citation | BMJ Open, 2022, 12, (3), pp. 1-11 | |
dc.identifier.issn | 2044-6055 | |
dc.identifier.issn | 2044-6055 | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10453/163355 | |
dc.description.abstract | OBJECTIVES: Studies on the management of the COVID-19 pandemic through testing have been conducted in countries that have been hardest hit by this pandemic. Considering the importance of testing in containing the spread of COVID-19, it is useful to have evidence on continuing COVID-19 testing even in countries where the prevalence of COVID-19 is relatively low. We, therefore, examined the association between reported COVID-19 symptoms and testing for COVID-19 in Canada. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: We conducted an online survey using the SurveyMonkey platform between July and October 2020 across Canada. PARTICIPANTS: A nationally representative sample size of 2790 adult individuals was used. RESULTS: Our findings show that respondents who reported that they and/or members of their households had COVID-19 symptoms were more likely to test for COVID-19 (adjusted OR, aOR 1.91; 95% CI 1.32 to 2.76) as compared with those who did not report COVID-19 symptoms. The likelihood of testing for COVID-19 was lower among male respondents compared with females (aOR 0.69; 95% CI 0.49 to 0.96), respondents aged 65-84 compared with those aged 18-44 (aOR 0.62; 95% CI 0.42 to 0.93), and respondents in British Columbia compared with those residing in Quebec. Higher odds of testing for COVID-19 were found among respondents who lived in Alberta compared with those who lived in Quebec (aOR 0.42; 95% CI 0.23 to 0.75) and respondents who had postgraduate education compared with those with high school or less education (aOR 1.84; 95% CI 1.01 to 3.36). The association between reported COVID-19 symptoms and testing for COVID-19 was statistically significant among female respondents (aOR 1.52; 95% CI 1.81 to 3.52) but not among male respondents. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study provides evidence in support of the hypothesis that there is significant association between reported COVID-19 symptoms and COVID-19 testing among adult Canadians. The study highlights the need for the Canadian government to prioritise subpopulations (ie, males, those aged 65-85, and those with high school or less education) that have lower likelihood of seeking COVID-19 testing to get tested when they have symptoms. | |
dc.format | Electronic | |
dc.language | eng | |
dc.publisher | BMJ Journals | |
dc.relation.ispartof | BMJ Open | |
dc.relation.isbasedon | 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056229 | |
dc.rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess | |
dc.subject | 1103 Clinical Sciences, 1117 Public Health and Health Services, 1199 Other Medical and Health Sciences | |
dc.subject.mesh | Adolescent | |
dc.subject.mesh | Adult | |
dc.subject.mesh | Aged | |
dc.subject.mesh | Aged, 80 and over | |
dc.subject.mesh | Alberta | |
dc.subject.mesh | Canada | |
dc.subject.mesh | COVID-19 | |
dc.subject.mesh | COVID-19 Testing | |
dc.subject.mesh | Cross-Sectional Studies | |
dc.subject.mesh | Female | |
dc.subject.mesh | Humans | |
dc.subject.mesh | Male | |
dc.subject.mesh | Pandemics | |
dc.subject.mesh | SARS-CoV-2 | |
dc.subject.mesh | Young Adult | |
dc.subject.mesh | Adolescent | |
dc.subject.mesh | Adult | |
dc.subject.mesh | Aged | |
dc.subject.mesh | Aged, 80 and over | |
dc.subject.mesh | Alberta | |
dc.subject.mesh | COVID-19 | |
dc.subject.mesh | COVID-19 Testing | |
dc.subject.mesh | Canada | |
dc.subject.mesh | Cross-Sectional Studies | |
dc.subject.mesh | Female | |
dc.subject.mesh | Humans | |
dc.subject.mesh | Male | |
dc.subject.mesh | Pandemics | |
dc.subject.mesh | SARS-CoV-2 | |
dc.subject.mesh | Young Adult | |
dc.subject.mesh | Humans | |
dc.subject.mesh | Cross-Sectional Studies | |
dc.subject.mesh | Adolescent | |
dc.subject.mesh | Adult | |
dc.subject.mesh | Aged | |
dc.subject.mesh | Aged, 80 and over | |
dc.subject.mesh | Canada | |
dc.subject.mesh | Alberta | |
dc.subject.mesh | Female | |
dc.subject.mesh | Male | |
dc.subject.mesh | Young Adult | |
dc.subject.mesh | Pandemics | |
dc.subject.mesh | COVID-19 | |
dc.subject.mesh | SARS-CoV-2 | |
dc.subject.mesh | COVID-19 Testing | |
dc.title | Examining the association between reported COVID-19 symptoms and testing for COVID-19 in Canada: a cross-sectional survey. | |
dc.type | Journal Article | |
utslib.citation.volume | 12 | |
utslib.location.activity | England | |
utslib.for | 1103 Clinical Sciences | |
utslib.for | 1117 Public Health and Health Services | |
utslib.for | 1199 Other Medical and Health Sciences | |
pubs.organisational-group | /University of Technology Sydney | |
pubs.organisational-group | /University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health | |
pubs.organisational-group | /University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Public Health | |
utslib.copyright.status | open_access | * |
pubs.consider-herdc | false | |
dc.date.updated | 2022-11-09T02:31:20Z | |
pubs.issue | 3 | |
pubs.publication-status | Published | |
pubs.volume | 12 | |
utslib.citation.issue | 3 |
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: Studies on the management of the COVID-19 pandemic through testing have been conducted in countries that have been hardest hit by this pandemic. Considering the importance of testing in containing the spread of COVID-19, it is useful to have evidence on continuing COVID-19 testing even in countries where the prevalence of COVID-19 is relatively low. We, therefore, examined the association between reported COVID-19 symptoms and testing for COVID-19 in Canada. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: We conducted an online survey using the SurveyMonkey platform between July and October 2020 across Canada. PARTICIPANTS: A nationally representative sample size of 2790 adult individuals was used. RESULTS: Our findings show that respondents who reported that they and/or members of their households had COVID-19 symptoms were more likely to test for COVID-19 (adjusted OR, aOR 1.91; 95% CI 1.32 to 2.76) as compared with those who did not report COVID-19 symptoms. The likelihood of testing for COVID-19 was lower among male respondents compared with females (aOR 0.69; 95% CI 0.49 to 0.96), respondents aged 65-84 compared with those aged 18-44 (aOR 0.62; 95% CI 0.42 to 0.93), and respondents in British Columbia compared with those residing in Quebec. Higher odds of testing for COVID-19 were found among respondents who lived in Alberta compared with those who lived in Quebec (aOR 0.42; 95% CI 0.23 to 0.75) and respondents who had postgraduate education compared with those with high school or less education (aOR 1.84; 95% CI 1.01 to 3.36). The association between reported COVID-19 symptoms and testing for COVID-19 was statistically significant among female respondents (aOR 1.52; 95% CI 1.81 to 3.52) but not among male respondents. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study provides evidence in support of the hypothesis that there is significant association between reported COVID-19 symptoms and COVID-19 testing among adult Canadians. The study highlights the need for the Canadian government to prioritise subpopulations (ie, males, those aged 65-85, and those with high school or less education) that have lower likelihood of seeking COVID-19 testing to get tested when they have symptoms.
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