Acceptability and usability of COVID-19 antigen self-test in populations under socioeconomic vulnerability in Brazil: A cross-sectional study

Débora Castanheira, Laio Magno, Thais Aranha Rossi, Suelen Seixas, Fabiane Soares, Daniele Novaes, Ines Dourado, Valdilea G Veloso and Thiago S Torres

PLOS Global Public Health, 2026, vol. 6, issue 2, 1-13

Abstract: Rapid diagnostic self-tests have emerged as effective tools for identifying and controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2. However, little is known about their acceptability and usability among populations under socioeconomic vulnerability globally. We aimed to evaluate the acceptability and usability of a COVID-19 antigen self-test among persons living in Salvador and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In this cross-sectional study (January–May 2023), participants used a COVID-19 antigen self-test in a simulated real-world setting, guided by an instructional video. Usability was assessed through two main outcomes: comprehension of instructions and proper execution of self-test (Poisson regression model); and accuracy in interpretation of self-test results (Cohen’s kappa). Acceptability was evaluated based on willingness to reuse the self-test, user experience, and recommendation to others. Among 437 participants, most were women (65.7%), self-identified as Black/Pardo (mixed-race) (81.5%), aged 35 + years (65.7%), had a household income ≤ USD 470 (70.0%) and had completed secondary education (46.2%). Despite some procedural difficulties, most participants obtained valid results (88.1%), higher in Salvador (95.2%) than in Rio de Janeiro (81.7%) (p

Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pgph00:0005678

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0005678

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