Identifying Optimal Testing Modalities to Increase COVID-19 Testing Access in Baltimore, Maryland: Protocol for a...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Disease Research

Background:

• COVID-19 disproportionately impacted low-income and minority populations.
• Testing is crucial for disease control but faces access barriers for Black and Latinx communities.
• Limited evidence exists on optimal testing modalities for these underserved groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define optimal COVID-19 testing modalities for maximizing acceptance and uptake.
• To improve the timeliness of receiving test results.
• To address disparities in COVID-19 testing access.

Main Methods:

• The Community Collaboration to Combat COVID-19 (C-FORWARD) trial used a household randomized comparative effectiveness design.
• A representative urban population sample was recruited across 653 census block groups.
• The primary outcome measured was SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 test completion within 30 days.

Main Results:

• 1083 individuals were enrolled between February 2021 and December 2022.
• The sample included 43% Black or African American and 4.8% Hispanic or Latino participants.
• 80% had prior COVID-19 testing, and 86.8% had received at least one vaccine dose.

Conclusions:

• Data from the C-FORWARD trial will inform strategies for equitable COVID-19 testing.
• Findings aim to enhance testing acceptance and uptake in urban populations.
• This research addresses critical questions for public health interventions during the pandemic.