Barriers related to COVID‐19 testing intention

Shahrour, Ghada; Jaradat, Diana; Dardas, Latefa Ali

OBJECTIVES: Although vaccination against the COVID‐19 disease has recently become available, individuals are expressing fear and hesitancy towards receiving it. As a result, testing for COVID‐19 is still considered a vital method to contain infection. For testing to be effective, barriers towards testing intention need to be investigated; and available literature on the challenges are scarce. This study aimed to investigate barriers of COVID‐19 testing among a sample of Jordanian adults and predict testing intention within the context of these barriers. METHODS: A cross‐sectional, descriptive, and predictive design was employed in this study among a sample of 1074 Jordanian adults. RESULTS: Three clusters of barriers predicted testing intention; perceived discrimination at work, concerns of individual's privacy, and having negative feelings towards testing. While perceived discrimination at work and privacy concerns were negatively associated with individuals’ intention for testing, experiencing negative feelings towards COVID‐19 testing was a positive predictor. CONCLUSION: Within the context of the study findings, public health nurses need to promote safety at the workplace, protect an individual's privacy, and eliminate negative feelings towards testing uptake through the provision of accurate and up‐to‐date information regarding the COVID‐19 disease.