{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,28]],"date-time":"2026-02-28T04:27:12Z","timestamp":1772252832733,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":30,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2020,12,29]],"date-time":"2020-12-29T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1609200000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"University of Nottingham COVID Recovery Board","award":["Reference: 4767238"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["Reference: 4767238"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["IJERPH"],"abstract":"<jats:p>We aimed to explore student and staff perceptions and experiences of a pilot SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatic testing service (P-ATS) in a UK university campus setting. This was a mixed-method study comprised of an online survey, and thematic analysis of qualitative data from interviews and focus groups conducted at the mid-point and end of the 12-week P-ATS programme. Ninety-nine students (84.8% female, 70% first year; 93.9% P-ATS participants) completed an online survey, 41 individuals attended interviews or focus groups, including 31 students (21 first year; 10 final year) and 10 staff. All types of testing and logistics were highly acceptable (virus: swab, saliva; antibody: finger prick) and 94.9% would participate again. Reported adherence to weekly virus testing was high (92.4% completed \u22656 tests; 70.8% submitted all 10 swabs; 89.2% completed \u22651 saliva sample) and 76.9% submitted \u22653 blood samples. Students tested to \u201ckeep campus safe\u201d, \u201ccontribute to national efforts to control COVID-19\u201d, and \u201cprotect others\u201d. In total, 31.3% had high anxiety as measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) (27.1% of first year). Students with lower levels of anxiety and greater satisfaction with university communications around P-ATS were more likely to adhere to virus and antibody tests. Increased adherence to testing was associated with higher perceived risk of COVID-19 to self and others. Qualitative findings revealed 5 themes and 13 sub-themes: \u201cemotional responses to COVID-19\u201d, \u201cuniversity life during COVID-19\u201d, \u201cinfluences on testing participation\u201d, \u201ctesting physical and logistical factors\u201d and \u201ctesting effects on mental wellbeing\u201d. Asymptomatic COVID-19 testing (SARS-CoV-2 virus\/antibodies) is highly acceptable to students and staff in a university campus setting. Clear communications and strategies to reduce anxiety are likely to be important for testing uptake and adherence. Strategies are needed to facilitate social connections and mitigate the mental health impacts of COVID-19 and self-isolation.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18010188","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2020,12,29]],"date-time":"2020-12-29T10:04:46Z","timestamp":1609236286000},"page":"188","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":34,"title":["Perceptions and Experiences of the University of Nottingham Pilot SARS-CoV-2 Asymptomatic Testing Service: A Mixed-Methods Study"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"18","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3080-2306","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Holly","family":"Blake","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2HA, UK"},{"name":"NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH\/NG7 2RD, UK"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2240-8133","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jessica","family":"Corner","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University Executive Board, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1918-5776","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Cecilia","family":"Cirelli","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH\/NG7 2TU, UK"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Juliet","family":"Hassard","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH\/NG7 2TU, UK"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Lydia","family":"Briggs","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2HA, UK"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1912-4500","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Janet M.","family":"Daly","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5490-2910","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Malcolm","family":"Bennett","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Joseph G.","family":"Chappell","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH\/NG7 2RD, UK"},{"name":"School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD\/NG7 2UH, UK"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4581-9741","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Lucy","family":"Fairclough","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD\/NG7 2UH, UK"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1710-1049","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"C. Patrick","family":"McClure","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH\/NG7 2RD, UK"},{"name":"School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD\/NG7 2UH, UK"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1009-0823","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alexander","family":"Tarr","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH\/NG7 2RD, UK"},{"name":"School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD\/NG7 2UH, UK"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Patrick","family":"Tighe","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH\/NG7 2RD, UK"},{"name":"School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD\/NG7 2UH, UK"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Alex","family":"Favier","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Registrars, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7268-3168","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"William","family":"Irving","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH\/NG7 2RD, UK"},{"name":"School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD\/NG7 2UH, UK"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Jonathan","family":"Ball","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH\/NG7 2RD, UK"},{"name":"School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD\/NG7 2UH, UK"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2020,12,29]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"(2020, July 27). BBC News Coronavirus: \u2018It Reminds you Why You Want to be a Vet\u2019. Available online: https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/av\/uk-england-nottinghamshire-53560591."},{"key":"ref_2","first-page":"222","article-title":"The small-world network of college classes: Implications for epidemic spread on a university campus","volume":"7","author":"Weedon","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Soc. Sci."},{"key":"ref_3","unstructured":"Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms (2020). Policy Paper: Slides to Accompany Coronavirus Press Conference: 9 September 2020, Prime Minister\u2019s Office."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1205","DOI":"10.1038\/s41591-020-0962-9","article-title":"Age-dependent effects in the transmission and control of COVID-19 epidemics","volume":"26","author":"Davies","year":"2020","journal-title":"Nat. Med."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"14","DOI":"10.1136\/vr.m1535","article-title":"Covid-19 has changed how we teach students","volume":"186","author":"Bowen","year":"2020","journal-title":"Vet. Record."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Berger Gillam, T., Cole, J., Gharbi, K., Angiolini, E., Barker, T., Bickerton, P., Brabbs, T., Chin, J., Coen, E., and Cossey, S. (2020). Norwich COVID-19 testing initiative pilot: Evaluating the feasibility of asymptomatic testing on a university campus. J. Public Health, fdaa194.","DOI":"10.1093\/pubmed\/fdaa194"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1245","DOI":"10.1097\/ACM.0000000000000388","article-title":"Standards for reporting qualitative research: A synthesis of recommendations","volume":"89","author":"Harris","year":"2014","journal-title":"Acad. Med."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"349","DOI":"10.1093\/intqhc\/mzm042","article-title":"Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): A 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups","volume":"19","author":"Tong","year":"2007","journal-title":"Int. J. Qual. Health Care"},{"key":"ref_9","unstructured":"DHSC, and Department of Health and Social Care (2020, November 16). Coronavirus (COVID-19): Scaling Up Our Testing Programmes, Available online: https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/attachment_data\/file\/878121\/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-strategy.pdf."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1092","DOI":"10.1001\/archinte.166.10.1092","article-title":"A Brief Measure for Assessing Generalized Anxiety Disorder: The GAD-7","volume":"166","author":"Spitzer","year":"2006","journal-title":"Arch. Intern. Med."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"266","DOI":"10.1097\/MLR.0b013e318160d093","article-title":"Validation and standardization of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener (GAD-7) in the general population","volume":"46","author":"Decker","year":"2008","journal-title":"Med. Care"},{"key":"ref_12","unstructured":"NHS England (2020, November 29). Guide 09: Running Focus Groups for Patient and Public Engagement. Available online: https:\/\/www.england.nhs.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/bitesize-guide-focus-groups.pdf."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"77","DOI":"10.1191\/1478088706qp063oa","article-title":"Using thematic analysis in psychology","volume":"3","author":"Braun","year":"2006","journal-title":"Qual. Res. Psychol."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1149","DOI":"10.3758\/BRM.41.4.1149","article-title":"Statistical power analyses using G*Power 3.1: Tests for correlation and regression analyses","volume":"41","author":"Faul","year":"2009","journal-title":"Behav. Res. Methods"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Valentine-Graves, M., Hall, E., Guest, J.L., Adam, E., Valencia, R., Shinn, K., Hardee, I., Sanchez, T., Siegler, A.J., and Sullivan, P.S. (2020). At-home self-collection of saliva, oropharyngeal swabs and dried blood spots for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis and serology: Post-collection acceptability of specimen collection process and patient confidence in specimens. PLoS ONE, 15.","DOI":"10.1101\/2020.06.10.20127845"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"40","DOI":"10.1016\/j.zefq.2020.07.007","article-title":"Communicating test results in a comprehensible manner: A randomized controlled trial of word usage in doctor-patient communication\u2014Article in German","volume":"156\u2013157","author":"Auschra","year":"2020","journal-title":"Z. Evid. Fortbild. Qual. Gesundhwes"},{"key":"ref_17","first-page":"1","article-title":"Population anxiety and positive behaviour change during the COVID-19 epidemic: Cross-sectional surveys in Singapore, China and Italy","volume":"00","author":"Lim","year":"2020","journal-title":"Influenza Respir. Viruses"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"130","DOI":"10.1186\/1471-2458-10-130","article-title":"University life and pandemic influenza: Attitudes and intended behaviour of staff and students towards pandemic (H1N1)","volume":"14","author":"Van","year":"2010","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"G\u00e9n\u00e9reux, M., Schluter, P.J., Hung, K.K., Wong, C.S., Pui Yin Mok, C., O\u2019Sullivan, T., David, M.D., Carignan, M.-E., Blouin-Genest, G., and Champagne-Poirier, O. (2020). One Virus, Four Continents, Eight Countries: An Interdisciplinary and International Study on the Psychosocial Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Adults. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph17228390"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Dratva, J., Zysset, A., Schlatter, N., von Wyl, A., Huber, M., and Volken, T. (2020). Swiss University Students\u2019 Risk Perception and General Anxiety during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph17207433"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"101518","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jenvp.2020.101518","article-title":"Emotion recognition changes in a confinement situation due to COVID-19","volume":"72","author":"Satorres","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Environ. Psychol."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"113111","DOI":"10.1016\/j.psychres.2020.113111","article-title":"University students\u2019 mental health amidst the COVID-19 quarantine in Greece","volume":"290","author":"Kaparounaki","year":"2020","journal-title":"Psychiatry Res."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"113108","DOI":"10.1016\/j.psychres.2020.113108","article-title":"Psychological effects of the COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown among students and workers of a Spanish university","volume":"290","author":"Odriozola","year":"2020","journal-title":"Psychiatry Res."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e040620","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjopen-2020-040620","article-title":"Mental health in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic: Cross-sectional analyses from a community cohort study","volume":"10","author":"Jia","year":"2020","journal-title":"BMJ Open"},{"key":"ref_25","unstructured":"VetFutures (2020, November 30). Women in the Veterinary Profession 2014: Gender Statistics about Veterinary Surgeons in the UK. Available online: https:\/\/www.vetfutures.org.uk\/download\/gender-statistics-about-veterinary-surgeons-in-the-uk\/."},{"key":"ref_26","unstructured":"Kelly, G. (2020, November 30). Veterinary Medicine Is a Woman\u2019s World. Veterinarian\u2019s Money Digest. Available online: https:\/\/www.vmdtoday.com\/news\/veterinary-medicine-is-a-womans-world."},{"key":"ref_27","unstructured":"HESA (2020, November 30). Higher Education Student Statistics: UK, 2017\/18\u2014Student Numbers and Characteristics. Available online: https:\/\/www.hesa.ac.uk\/news\/17-01-2019\/sb252-higher-education-student-statistics\/numbers."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1753","DOI":"10.1177\/1049732315617444","article-title":"Sample size in qualitative interview studies: Guided by information power","volume":"26","author":"Malterud","year":"2016","journal-title":"Qual. Health Res."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"m3262","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.m3262","article-title":"Covid-19 mass testing programmes","volume":"370","author":"Raffle","year":"2020","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1727","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.2020.20027","article-title":"Preventing and responding to COVID-19 on college campuses","volume":"324","author":"Walke","year":"2020","journal-title":"JAMA"}],"container-title":["International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1660-4601\/18\/1\/188\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]],"date-time":"2025-10-11T10:47:24Z","timestamp":1760179644000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1660-4601\/18\/1\/188"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2020,12,29]]},"references-count":30,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,1]]}},"alternative-id":["ijerph18010188"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijerph18010188","relation":{"has-preprint":[{"id-type":"doi","id":"10.20944\/preprints202012.0060.v1","asserted-by":"object"}]},"ISSN":["1660-4601"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1660-4601","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2020,12,29]]}}}