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Barriers to SARS-CoV-2 Testing among U.S. Employers in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Analysis Conducted January through April 2021

Author

Listed:
  • Alberto J. Caban-Martinez

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA)

  • Claudia Parvanta

    (College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA)

  • Naciely Cabral

    (College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA)

  • Cynthia K. Ball

    (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX 75708, USA)

  • Adrienne Eastlake

    (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA)

  • Jeffrey L. Levin

    (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX 75708, USA)

  • Kevin Moore

    (Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Ferguson College of Agriculture and the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA)

  • Dalia Nessim

    (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX 75708, USA)

  • Ernie Stracener

    (Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, Madison, WI 53706, USA)

  • Matthew S. Thiese

    (Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA)

  • Paul A. Schulte

    (Advance Technologies and Laboratories International, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA)

Abstract

During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. companies were seeking ways to support their employees to return to the workplace. Nonetheless, the development of strategies to support the access, use, and interpretation of SARS-CoV-2 testing was challenging. In the present study, we explore, from the perspective of owners and company leadership, the barriers to SARS-CoV-2 testing among U.S. companies. Key informant interviews with company representatives were conducted during January–April 2021 about SARS-CoV-2 testing. A pre-interview survey assessed respondent socio-demographic and organizational characteristics. Interview sessions were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using MaxQDA. A total of twenty interviews were completed with at least two interviews conducted in each major U.S. industry sector. Ninety percent of participants represented companies in business >10 years, comprising both small and large workforces. Using a grounded theory approach, six themes emerged: (1) access to and knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 tests; (2) strategies for symptomatic and asymptomatic testing of workers; (3) type/availability of personal protective equipment to mitigate coronavirus exposures; (4) return-to-work policies; (5) guidance and communication of SARS-CoV-2 Testing; and (6) use of contact tracing and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Various modifiable and non-modifiable challenges for SARS-CoV-2 testing among U.S. companies were identified and can inform work-related SARS-CoV-2 testing strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Alberto J. Caban-Martinez & Claudia Parvanta & Naciely Cabral & Cynthia K. Ball & Adrienne Eastlake & Jeffrey L. Levin & Kevin Moore & Dalia Nessim & Ernie Stracener & Matthew S. Thiese & Paul A. Schu, 2022. "Barriers to SARS-CoV-2 Testing among U.S. Employers in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Analysis Conducted January through April 2021," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:18:p:11805-:d:918693
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Robert W. Fairlie & Frank Fossen, 2021. "Did the $660 Billion Paycheck Protection Program and $220 Billion Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program Get Disbursed to Minority Communities in the Early Stages of COVID-19?," NBER Working Papers 28321, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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