Clinical and demographic differences in the willingness to use self-administered at-home COVID-19 testing measures among persons with opioid use disorder

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting disadvantaged populations, including persons with opioid use disorder (OUD). Persons with OUD are at greater risk for direct (e.g., COVID-19 diagnosis, severe symptoms) and indirect consequences (relapse, overdose) of COVID-19. Given stay at home orders, at-home testing options may serve as a viable tool to curb the increase in COVID-19 transmission and adverse effects of COVID-19. Methods: From May to September 2020, we surveyed 110 persons in treatment for OUD about their willingness to use various self-administered at-home COVID-19 testing measures. Participants were stratified by age, gender, and racial-ethnic identity to observe differences in willingness to use COVID-19 tests. The three COVID-19 tests included a throat swab sample, a saliva-based sample, and a blood prick test. Results: A high willingness to use at-home COVID-19 tests was observed in patients in treatment for OUD. A greater proportion of females were willing to use a saliva-based test; greater proportions of White participants were willing to use a saliva based COVID-19 test compared to racial-ethnic minorities. Older aged participants (≥45 years old) reported greater rates of willingness to use a self-administered at home blood prick test for COVID-19. Conclusions: At-home testing measures for COVID-19 appear highly acceptable among people with OUD.

Keywords:

• COVID-19
• SARS-CoV-2
• specimen collection
• test
• opioid use disorder
• health disparities

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Brian Sibilio, Pramila Karki, Tanya Adler, and Lauryn Tetreault for their contribution.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse [K01 DA051346 for RS, K24DA051344 for MMC and K01 DA038529 for JAW] and a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health [T32MH074387-15 for CBM]. The funding organizations had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.