ABSTRACT
Objectives: Early investments in new diagnostic technologies that allow for rapid and decentralized testing were critical in reducing SARS-CoV-2's detrimental health and economic effects. This study evaluates public knowledge about, acceptance of and willingness to use COVID-19 self-testing kits. Methods: An online descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire was used in this study. The final study population included all contacted national and resident adults, age 18 and over, who were willing to engage in the study. The survey was divided according to participants' demographic information and 11 questions assessed the respondents' understanding of and willingness to use COVID-19 self-testing kits. The statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 24. Multivariate linear regression models were used to identify the factors influencing respondents' knowledge of and attitudes toward the acceptability of self-testing kits for COVID-19 and their willingness to use these kits. Key findings: A total of 876 respondents participated in the study and completed the whole questionnaire. The average knowledge score on the acceptability of and willingness to use self-testing kits for COVID-19 was 70.2%, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) [69.1%, 71.4%]. Participants who were postgraduate, female and vaccinated against COVID-19, as well as employees and older participants, were jointly highly associated with higher levels of knowledge about, acceptance of and willingness to use self-testing kits for COVID-19. Moreover, participants who had been infected with COVID-19, were vaccinated against COVID-19 or were female, employees, older, Western or Arabic were jointly highly associated with positive attitudes about the acceptability of and willingness to use self-testing kits for COVID-19. Conclusions: The majority of the respondents have acceptable levels of knowledge about, acceptance of and willingness to use self-testing kits for COVID-19. Nonetheless, future studies should consider the issues of pre- and post-test counselling, false negative results and the sale of unregulated testing kits. Additional information should be communicated so that people can make informed decisions and be protected from possible abuse of COVID-19 self-testing kits when they become available in pharmacies.
ABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome which was declared a global pandemic in 2019 causing significant morbidities and mortalities. COVID-19 is a multi-systemic disease and is not primarily limited to the respiratory system. Thrombus formation is one of its distinct features. However, renal complications associated with COVID-19 are rarely reported in the literature due to limited occurrence and research. We report a rare case of right retroperitoneal hematoma in a COVID-19 patient. We report a 51-year-old male patient who was received at the emergency department (ED). The patient was positive for COVID-19 and had a Glasgow coma scale of 12/15. The patient was initially managed on IV anticoagulation due to cavernous sinus thrombosis and was placed on mechanical ventilation which helped him to improve. After two weeks, a sudden drop in hemoglobin was observed. CT scan of abdomen and pelvis showed the presence of a right retroperitoneal hematoma, and right renal artery non-occlusive filling defect. The patient was successfully managed with conservative treatment. Retroperitoneal hematoma although a rare occurrence in COVID-19 patient should be observed and monitored closely in case of bleeding or anemia, as early management and intervention is beneficial.