Public’s Willingness to Perform COVID-19 Self-Testing during the Transition to the Endemic Phase in Malaysia – A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Abstract Background Malaysia entered the transition to the endemic phase of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on 1st April 2022. This study aims to determine the public’s willingness to perform COVID-19 self-testing. Factors that influenced their willingness to engage in COVID-19 self-testing were also assessed. Methods A nationwide, cross-sectional, and population-based study was conducted online in Malaysia from 28th April 2023 to 4th June 2023. Individuals aged 18 years and above were enrolled through the snowball sampling method. Statistical methods used to analyse data include the Chi-Square test, independent t-test, and binary logistic regression. Results Out of the 1,527 responses received, 1,453 (95.2%) were included in the analysis. Of these respondents, 89.3% were willing, 4.1% were not willing, and 6.6% remained hesitant to perform COVID-19 self-testing, Women [odds ratios (OR): 2.1, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 1.44–3.00, p < 0.001], individuals with tertiary education (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.32–3.26, p = 0.002), those vaccinated against COVID-19 (OR: 8.1, 95% CI: 2.63–24.82, p < 0.001), and individuals with prior experience of COVID-19 self-testing (OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 2.84–6.12, p < 0.001) showed a significantly higher willingness to engage in self-testing. The common reasons given by those willing to perform COVID-19 self-testing included being able to self-isolate (99.0%) and seek treatment (96.3%) earlier if they tested positive for COVID-19. The common reasons against COVID-19 self-testing included the belief that COVID-19 is equivalent to the common flu (91.7%) and having received the COVID-19 vaccine (78.3%). The isolation policy for COVID-19 was the most significant consideration for those who were still hesitant (85.4%). Conclusions The public exhibited a high willingness to perform COVID-19 self-testing during the transition to the endemic phase in Malaysia. Future strategies to promote COVID-19 self-testing uptake in Malaysia should focus on vulnerable groups, address the common concerns among those hesitant and reluctant, and highlight the advantages of self-testing.