Identifying potential factors associated with PCR testing for COVID-19 among Australian young people: cross-sectional findings from a longitudinal study

Md Irteja Islam; Verity Chadwick; Alexandra Martiniuk

doi:10.1186/s12889-022-14892-1

Identifying potential factors associated with PCR testing for COVID-19 among Australian young people: cross-sectional findings from a longitudinal study

BMC Public Health. 2022 Dec 23;22(1):2424. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-14892-1.

Authors

Md Irteja Islam^{1

2}, Verity Chadwick³, Alexandra Martiniuk^{4

5

6}

Affiliations

¹ Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Edward Ford Building, A27 Fisher Road, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia. m.i.islam@sydney.edu.au.
² Centre for Health Research and Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, The University of Southern Queensland, West Street, Darling Heights, Toowoomba, QLD, 4350, Australia. m.i.islam@sydney.edu.au.
³ Royal North Shore Hospital, Reserve Rd, St Leonard's, Sydney, NSW, 2065, Australia.
⁴ Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Edward Ford Building, A27 Fisher Road, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
⁵ Office of the Chief Scientist, The George Institute for Global Health, Level 5/1 King Street, Newtown, Sydney, NSW, 2042, Australia.
⁶ Dalla Lana School of Public Health, The University of Toronto, 155 College St Room 500, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada.

Abstract

Background: Testing has played a crucial role in reducing the spread of COVID-19. Though COVID-19 symptoms tend to be less severe in adolescents and young adults, their highly social lifestyles can lead to increased transmission of the virus. In this study, we aimed to provide population-based estimates of polymerase chain reaction testing (PCR) for the COVID-19 pandemic and identify factors associated with PCR testing in Australian youth using the latest survey data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC).

Methods: We used the latest wave (9C1) of the LSAC, collected from 16 to 21-year-old Australians via an online survey between October and December 2020. In total, 2291 youths responded to the questions about COVID-19 testing including factors related to the coronavirus restriction period (CRP) in Australia. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify variables (sociodemographic factors and factors related to CRP) associated with COVID-19 testing.

Results: During the study period, 26% (n = 587) of Australian youth aged between 16 and 21 years were tested for COVID-19. The strongest predictor of COVID-19 testing was living in major cities (aOR 1.82, 95% CI:1.34-2.45; p < 0.01). Increased age (aOR 1.97, 1.00-3.89; p < 0.05) and having a pre-existing medical condition (aOR 1.27, 1.02-1.59; p < 0.05) were also significantly associated with a higher likelihood of COVID-19 testing.

Conclusion: Age, remoteness and having a pre-existing medical illness were associated with PCR COVID-19 testing among Australian youth aged between 16 and 21 years in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. More research is warranted to identify factors associated with other COVID-19 testing methods and address the specific barriers that may limit COVID-19 testing in this age group.

Keywords: Adolescents; Australia; COVID testing; COVID-19; Coronavirus; Young adults.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Australia / epidemiology
COVID-19 Testing
COVID-19* / diagnosis
COVID-19* / epidemiology
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Pandemics
Young Adult