Geospatial Point-of-Care Testing Strategies for COVID-19 Resilience in Resource-Poor Settings: Rural Cambodia Field...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Management
• Health Equity

Background:

• Point-of-care testing (POCT) offers rapid, spatial, and actionable results crucial for managing infectious diseases.
• Lessons from rural Cambodia and California inform a framework for integrating POCT with telehealth interventions.
• Timely diagnosis via POCT aids in assessing disease spread, mitigating outbreaks, and managing public health risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify the need for POCT in Cambodian border provinces during COVID-19 surges.
• Quantify geospatial disparities in diagnostic access during community lockdowns.
• Develop strategies for accessible and effective diagnostic testing in resource-limited settings.

Main Methods:

• Conducted focus groups and consulted experts to determine diagnostic needs in rural Cambodia.
• Analyzed geographic distances and transit times to testing sites in border provinces.
• Assessed diagnostic access in Banteay Meanchey Province and applied mobile testing strategies.

Main Results:

• Significant transit time disparities to testing sites were found in Cambodian border provinces.
• Geospatial gaps in testing access were identified, particularly for non-centrally located populations.
• California's automated dispensers and mobile testing vans demonstrated improved diagnostic access and utility.

Conclusions:

• Rural diagnostic portals and mobile POCT are feasible public health strategies for outbreak response and preparedness.
• Integrating geospatially optimized POCT, automated access, and telehealth enhances resilience and spatial justice.
• Accessible, user-friendly POCT is essential for timely diagnosis in high-risk settings during current and future health crises.