Participant perceptions and experiences of a novel community-based respiratory longitudinal sampling method in Liverpool, UK: A mixed methods feasibility study.

Longitudinal, community-based sampling is important for understanding prevalence and transmission of respiratory pathogens. Using a minimally invasive sampling method, the FAMILY Micro study monitored the oral, nasal and hand microbiota of families for 6 months. Here, we explore participant experien...

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Main Authors: Esther L German, Helen M Nabwera, Ryan Robinson, Farah Shiham, Kostas Liatsikos, Christopher M Parry, Claire McNamara, Sanjana Kattera, Katie Carter, Ashleigh Howard, Sherin Pojar, Joshua Hamilton, Agnes Matope, Jonathan M Read, Stephen J Allen, Helen Hill, Daniel B Hawcutt, Britta C Urban, Andrea M Collins, Daniela M Ferreira, Elissavet Nikolaou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2023-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0294133
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author Esther L German
Helen M Nabwera
Ryan Robinson
Farah Shiham
Kostas Liatsikos
Christopher M Parry
Claire McNamara
Sanjana Kattera
Katie Carter
Ashleigh Howard
Sherin Pojar
Joshua Hamilton
Agnes Matope
Jonathan M Read
Stephen J Allen
Helen Hill
Daniel B Hawcutt
Britta C Urban
Andrea M Collins
Daniela M Ferreira
Elissavet Nikolaou
author_facet Esther L German
Helen M Nabwera
Ryan Robinson
Farah Shiham
Kostas Liatsikos
Christopher M Parry
Claire McNamara
Sanjana Kattera
Katie Carter
Ashleigh Howard
Sherin Pojar
Joshua Hamilton
Agnes Matope
Jonathan M Read
Stephen J Allen
Helen Hill
Daniel B Hawcutt
Britta C Urban
Andrea M Collins
Daniela M Ferreira
Elissavet Nikolaou
author_sort Esther L German
collection DOAJ
description Longitudinal, community-based sampling is important for understanding prevalence and transmission of respiratory pathogens. Using a minimally invasive sampling method, the FAMILY Micro study monitored the oral, nasal and hand microbiota of families for 6 months. Here, we explore participant experiences and opinions. A mixed methods approach was utilised. A quantitative questionnaire was completed after every sampling timepoint to report levels of discomfort and pain, as well as time taken to collect samples. Participants were also invited to discuss their experiences in a qualitative structured exit interview. We received questionnaires from 36 families. Most adults and children >5y experienced no pain (94% and 70%) and little discomfort (73% and 47% no discomfort) regardless of sample type, whereas children ≤5y experienced variable levels of pain and discomfort (48% no pain but 14% hurts even more, whole lot or worst; 38% no discomfort but 33% moderate, severe, or extreme discomfort). The time taken for saliva and hand sampling decreased over the study. We conducted interviews with 24 families. Families found the sampling method straightforward, and adults and children >5y preferred nasal sampling using a synthetic absorptive matrix over nasopharyngeal swabs. It remained challenging for families to fit sampling into their busy schedules. Adequate fridge/freezer space and regular sample pick-ups were found to be important factors for feasibility. Messaging apps proved extremely effective for engaging with participants. Our findings provide key information to inform the design of future studies, specifically that self-sampling at home using minimally invasive procedures is feasible in a family context.
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spelling doaj-art-24ccb67167e140dba4f5928b3a5ab9572025-08-20T02:33:27ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032023-01-011811e029413310.1371/journal.pone.0294133Participant perceptions and experiences of a novel community-based respiratory longitudinal sampling method in Liverpool, UK: A mixed methods feasibility study.Esther L GermanHelen M NabweraRyan RobinsonFarah ShihamKostas LiatsikosChristopher M ParryClaire McNamaraSanjana KatteraKatie CarterAshleigh HowardSherin PojarJoshua HamiltonAgnes MatopeJonathan M ReadStephen J AllenHelen HillDaniel B HawcuttBritta C UrbanAndrea M CollinsDaniela M FerreiraElissavet NikolaouLongitudinal, community-based sampling is important for understanding prevalence and transmission of respiratory pathogens. Using a minimally invasive sampling method, the FAMILY Micro study monitored the oral, nasal and hand microbiota of families for 6 months. Here, we explore participant experiences and opinions. A mixed methods approach was utilised. A quantitative questionnaire was completed after every sampling timepoint to report levels of discomfort and pain, as well as time taken to collect samples. Participants were also invited to discuss their experiences in a qualitative structured exit interview. We received questionnaires from 36 families. Most adults and children >5y experienced no pain (94% and 70%) and little discomfort (73% and 47% no discomfort) regardless of sample type, whereas children ≤5y experienced variable levels of pain and discomfort (48% no pain but 14% hurts even more, whole lot or worst; 38% no discomfort but 33% moderate, severe, or extreme discomfort). The time taken for saliva and hand sampling decreased over the study. We conducted interviews with 24 families. Families found the sampling method straightforward, and adults and children >5y preferred nasal sampling using a synthetic absorptive matrix over nasopharyngeal swabs. It remained challenging for families to fit sampling into their busy schedules. Adequate fridge/freezer space and regular sample pick-ups were found to be important factors for feasibility. Messaging apps proved extremely effective for engaging with participants. Our findings provide key information to inform the design of future studies, specifically that self-sampling at home using minimally invasive procedures is feasible in a family context.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0294133
spellingShingle Esther L German
Helen M Nabwera
Ryan Robinson
Farah Shiham
Kostas Liatsikos
Christopher M Parry
Claire McNamara
Sanjana Kattera
Katie Carter
Ashleigh Howard
Sherin Pojar
Joshua Hamilton
Agnes Matope
Jonathan M Read
Stephen J Allen
Helen Hill
Daniel B Hawcutt
Britta C Urban
Andrea M Collins
Daniela M Ferreira
Elissavet Nikolaou
Participant perceptions and experiences of a novel community-based respiratory longitudinal sampling method in Liverpool, UK: A mixed methods feasibility study.
PLoS ONE
title Participant perceptions and experiences of a novel community-based respiratory longitudinal sampling method in Liverpool, UK: A mixed methods feasibility study.
title_full Participant perceptions and experiences of a novel community-based respiratory longitudinal sampling method in Liverpool, UK: A mixed methods feasibility study.
title_fullStr Participant perceptions and experiences of a novel community-based respiratory longitudinal sampling method in Liverpool, UK: A mixed methods feasibility study.
title_full_unstemmed Participant perceptions and experiences of a novel community-based respiratory longitudinal sampling method in Liverpool, UK: A mixed methods feasibility study.
title_short Participant perceptions and experiences of a novel community-based respiratory longitudinal sampling method in Liverpool, UK: A mixed methods feasibility study.
title_sort participant perceptions and experiences of a novel community based respiratory longitudinal sampling method in liverpool uk a mixed methods feasibility study
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0294133
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