Process Evaluation of a Residence-Based SARS-CoV-2 Testing Participation Pilot (RB-TPP)

University of Nottingham

Status: Completed

Conditions: Covid19

Treatments: Behavioral: Residence-based testing participation pilot (SARS-CoV-2 testing with relaxed social distancing restrictions)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05045989

FMHS 96-0920

Details and patient eligibility

About

Mixed-methods process evaluation of a residence-based asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 testing participation pilot

Full description

Regular testing for SARS Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an important strategy for controlling virus outbreaks on university campuses during the COVID-19 pandemic but testing participation rates can be low. The Residence-Based Testing Participation Pilot (RB-TPP) was a novel intervention implemented at two student residences on a large university campus in the UK over four weeks. The aim of the pilot was to increase the frequency of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 saliva testing onsite. This process evaluation aimed to determine whether RB-TPP was implemented as planned and identify implementation barriers and facilitators. A mixed-methods process evaluation was conducted alongside the RB-TPP. Evaluation participants were students (who opted in, or out of the RB-TPP) and staff with a role in service provision or student support. Monitoring data were collected from the intervention delivery team and meeting records. Data were collected from students via an online survey (n=152) and seven focus groups (n=30), and from staff via individual interviews (n=13). Quantitative data were analysed descriptively and qualitative data thematically.

Enrollment: 152 patients

Sex: All

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Student is living in one of the two participating halls of residence.
• staff with operational or student support role.
• consents to participate.

Exclusion criteria

• Student is not living in the hall of residence at the start of the RB-TPP.
• does not consent to participate.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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152 participants in 1 patient group

Residence-based asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 testing

Experimental group

Description:

The aim of the RB-TPP was to increase and maintain participation of students in regular COVID-19 testing in university residences. The R-TPP was delivered over 4 weeks in April-May 2021 and required asymptomatic students to take a saliva test for COVID-19, twice weekly for four weeks. This was combined with relaxed social restrictions within the residence during the study period (i.e., removing the need for 2 metre distancing between students living in the same residence), surge testing and enhanced support for students who were required to self-isolate (i.e., welfare and financial support).

Treatment:

Behavioral: Residence-based testing participation pilot (SARS-CoV-2 testing with relaxed social distancing restrictions)