Utility and usability of a dengue NS1 rapid diagnostic as a self-test
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-1-2025
Abstract
BackgroundEarly detection of dengue fever is pivotal to help differentiate against other febrile illnesses, especially in the dengue-endemic regions. Currently, febrile patients would have to go to the healthcare facility to get tested for dengue. A diagnostic approach that empowers febrile persons to perform their own tests is needed. Here, we evaluated the utility and the usability of the dengue NS1 rapid diagnostic test and whether it could be accepted as a home self-test. A lateral flow immunochromatography test (ICT) using DENV NS1 was converted to a possible self-test kit by providing the kit with a test device, an alcohol swab, a lancet, a disposable dropper, an assay buffer, and a test manual.MethodsTwenty volunteers were recruited for this study. The participants performed the self-test under the observation of trained observers who recorded if any procedural error was committed. The results of each test were interpreted by the participants using a given interpretation table.ResultsNinety-five percent (95%) of the study participants found the instruction manual was easy to follow and 70% felt the test kit was easy to use. Additionally, 80% of the participants successfully obtained the expected results. A majority (80%) would consider using the test kit if needed and would recommend it to family members and friends. Seventy percent (70%) of the participants, most of whom with monthly income of less than USD417, were willing to pay less than USD2 for the test kit.ConclusionFindings from the study suggested that a self-test diagnostic for dengue fever is highly acceptable and, hence, could be a viable approach for the early detection of the infection.Trial registration MRECID.NO: 2022628-11345.ConclusionFindings from the study suggested that a self-test diagnostic for dengue fever is highly acceptable and, hence, could be a viable approach for the early detection of the infection.Trial registration MRECID.NO: 2022628-11345.
Keywords
Infectious diseases, Arboviruses, Dengue virus, NS1, Self-test, Utility, Usability
Divisions
tidrec
Funders
Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC), Malaysia (MOSTI002-2021SRF),Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI), Malaysia for the Strategic Research Fund under the Disease Prevention & Treatment Programme for National Healthcare Issues
Publication Title
Tropical Medicine and Health
Volume
53
Issue
1
Publisher
BMC
Publisher Location
CAMPUS, 4 CRINAN ST, LONDON N1 9XW, ENGLAND