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. 2023 Jul 1;152(Suppl 1):e2022060352J.
doi: 10.1542/peds.2022-060352J.

A Multi-Study Synthesis of Facilitators and Barriers to SARS-CoV-2 Testing Enrollment in School Settings

Dana Keener Mast  1 , Lisa Gwynn  2 , Sara B Johnson  3 , Corinne McDaniels-Davidson  4 , Rosanne Hoffman  1 , Elizabeth R Pulgaron  2 , Emily M D'Agostino  5   6 , Linda K Ko  7 , Jennifer L Goldman  8 , Paul K Drain  9 , Jennifer E Schuster  8 , Miriana C Duran  7 , Susan M Kiene  4 , Eyal Oren  4 , Amy Corneli  6   10
Affiliations

A Multi-Study Synthesis of Facilitators and Barriers to SARS-CoV-2 Testing Enrollment in School Settings

Dana Keener Mast et al. Pediatrics. .

Abstract

Objectives: Understanding the motivators and barriers to testing enrollment from different stakeholder perspectives is essential to increasing participation in school-based testing programs, particularly among underserved populations. This multistudy analysis aimed to identify facilitators and barriers to enrollment in school-based testing for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: Four independent studies collected and analyzed qualitative data from study participants regarding: (1) motivators, benefits, and/or reasons for enrolling and/or participating in COVID-19 testing in schools; and/or (2) concerns, barriers, and/or negative outcomes related to COVID-19 testing in schools. Study authors conducted a retrospective review of findings from the independent studies to identify themes related to testing motivators and concerns that emerged across the studies.

Results: The analysis identified 10 distinct themes regarding the perceived motivators of COVID-19 testing in schools and 15 distinct themes regarding concerns and barriers to COVID-19 testing in schools. Common motivators across multiple studies included convenience of testing in school and the desire to keep self and others safe from COVID-19. Concerns about the implications of receiving a positive test result was a barrier identified by multiple studies.

Conclusions: Themes from 4 independent studies revealed insights about the motivations and barriers to enrolling and participating in COVID-19 testing programs in kindergarten through 12th grade school settings. Study findings can be used to improve enrollment and participation in new and existing school-based testing programs to reduce transmission of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in schools.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURES: Dr McDaniels-Davidson has received compensation as a consultant for Gilead Scientific. In addition, her spouse is employed by QuidelOrtho Corporation and participates in their employee stock purchase program. The other authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to this article to disclose.

References

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