Durham University students’ experiences of asymptomatic COVID-19 testing: a qualitative study

Objectives To evaluate the asymptomatic coronavirus testing programme at Durham University by exploring students’ barriers and facilitators to taking part and provide recommendations to improve the programme.Design Qualitative interviews.Setting Online.Participants 30 students enrolled at Durham Uni...

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Main Authors: Leah Ffion Jones, Jo Taylor, Dale Weston, Eleonore Batteux, Stefanie Bonfield, Jaskiran Kaur Bhogal, Camila Caiado, Jacqui Ramagge
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2021-12-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/12/e055644.full
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author Leah Ffion Jones
Jo Taylor
Dale Weston
Eleonore Batteux
Stefanie Bonfield
Jaskiran Kaur Bhogal
Camila Caiado
Jacqui Ramagge
author_facet Leah Ffion Jones
Jo Taylor
Dale Weston
Eleonore Batteux
Stefanie Bonfield
Jaskiran Kaur Bhogal
Camila Caiado
Jacqui Ramagge
author_sort Leah Ffion Jones
collection DOAJ
description Objectives To evaluate the asymptomatic coronavirus testing programme at Durham University by exploring students’ barriers and facilitators to taking part and provide recommendations to improve the programme.Design Qualitative interviews.Setting Online.Participants 30 students enrolled at Durham University were interviewed in March 2021.Main outcome measures Attitudes towards testing, experiences of testing and barriers and facilitators to engaging in testing at Durham University.Results Key motivations for testing included protecting oneself and others and accessing facilities and events. The process of booking, accessing and doing a test was mostly easy and convenient, although some may prefer home testing. There were concerns about the accuracy of tests and the implications of a positive result. Some highlighted they might be less likely to engage in testing if vaccinated. A negative test result provided confidence to engage in their daily activities, while encouraging some to socialise more.Conclusions The findings show that the testing programme at Durham University is convenient and well organised, with testing as a potential requirement to access social events, and self-isolation support being key contributor to uptake. These findings provide insights into young adults’ attitudes towards testing and can inform testing programmes in other universities and settings with asymptomatic testing programmes.
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spelling doaj-art-cd6a3ccedc1748ceade56ee20787598e2025-08-20T01:59:12ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552021-12-01111210.1136/bmjopen-2021-055644Durham University students’ experiences of asymptomatic COVID-19 testing: a qualitative studyLeah Ffion Jones0Jo Taylor1Dale Weston2Eleonore Batteux3Stefanie Bonfield4Jaskiran Kaur Bhogal5Camila Caiado6Jacqui Ramagge7Behavioural Science and Insights Unit, Public Health England, London, UKDepartment of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UKBehavioural Science and Insights Unit, UK Health Security Agency, Salisbury, UKCentre for the Study of Decision-Making Uncertainty, University College London, London, UKBehavioural Science and Insights Unit, UK Health Security Agency, Salisbury, UKBehavioural Science and Insights Unit, UK Health Security Agency, Salisbury, UKDurham University, Durham, UKDurham University, Durham, UKObjectives To evaluate the asymptomatic coronavirus testing programme at Durham University by exploring students’ barriers and facilitators to taking part and provide recommendations to improve the programme.Design Qualitative interviews.Setting Online.Participants 30 students enrolled at Durham University were interviewed in March 2021.Main outcome measures Attitudes towards testing, experiences of testing and barriers and facilitators to engaging in testing at Durham University.Results Key motivations for testing included protecting oneself and others and accessing facilities and events. The process of booking, accessing and doing a test was mostly easy and convenient, although some may prefer home testing. There were concerns about the accuracy of tests and the implications of a positive result. Some highlighted they might be less likely to engage in testing if vaccinated. A negative test result provided confidence to engage in their daily activities, while encouraging some to socialise more.Conclusions The findings show that the testing programme at Durham University is convenient and well organised, with testing as a potential requirement to access social events, and self-isolation support being key contributor to uptake. These findings provide insights into young adults’ attitudes towards testing and can inform testing programmes in other universities and settings with asymptomatic testing programmes.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/12/e055644.full
spellingShingle Leah Ffion Jones
Jo Taylor
Dale Weston
Eleonore Batteux
Stefanie Bonfield
Jaskiran Kaur Bhogal
Camila Caiado
Jacqui Ramagge
Durham University students’ experiences of asymptomatic COVID-19 testing: a qualitative study
BMJ Open
title Durham University students’ experiences of asymptomatic COVID-19 testing: a qualitative study
title_full Durham University students’ experiences of asymptomatic COVID-19 testing: a qualitative study
title_fullStr Durham University students’ experiences of asymptomatic COVID-19 testing: a qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed Durham University students’ experiences of asymptomatic COVID-19 testing: a qualitative study
title_short Durham University students’ experiences of asymptomatic COVID-19 testing: a qualitative study
title_sort durham university students experiences of asymptomatic covid 19 testing a qualitative study
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/12/e055644.full
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