Factors associated with COVID-19 test willingness in Indonesia: tele-survey study after ‘new normal’ policy in risk groups

Abstract

Data about testing for COVID-19 is important to be recognized since disease diagnostic tests are useful as a foundation for various purposes. Therefore, to obtain comprehensive data regarding the willingness of the Indonesian people to test for COVID-19, a study was carried out. This study is a population-based quantitative study with a cross-sectional design conducted on risk groups located in Pangandaran Regency, Indonesia in 2020. Data collection used a tele-survey technique (telephone interview) with a closed electronic questionnaire instrument. and 400 people as samples. A multivariate analysis was applied between factors such as age group, gender, income, confirmed COVID-19 environment, intensity of information seeking, social media exposure, and willingness to test for COVID-19. The results showed that there were more respondents who stated they did not want to take the COVID-19 test than those who did. The majority of respondents stated that the reason for not wanting to take the COVID-19 test was because they felt it was unnecessary and considered expensive. This study also shows that factors such as the latest level of education, monthly income before the new normal, confirmed COVID-19 environment, intensity of information seeking, and exposure to social media have the potential to affect willingness to test for COVID-19.