Dataset from Transforming Community Engagement to Increase SARS-CoV-2 Testing in Underserved Populations in Baton Rouge (TEST UP-BR)

Background: The purpose of this study was to address the heavy COVID-19 burden in low income and underserved Black communities in Louisiana. These communities faced high infection and death rates, limited access to testing, and deep structural barriers that shaped health outcomes. Local leaders needed reliable information on where testing was most effective and how to increase participation during major virus surges. The Louisiana Clinical and Translational Science Center (LA CaTS) had the infrastructure and community relationships needed to lead this work. The goal was to compare testing activity across community locations and medical clinics, identify factors linked to testing behavior, and use community input to shape strategies that would increase testing in underserved Black neighborhoods.

Materials/Methods: The study used a two-part design. First, a community based participatory research approach was used to compare testing rates across different types of sites. A multimedia outreach campaign supported real-time PCR testing using salivary samples from adults living in five urban ZIP codes with low socioeconomic status and a high proportion of Black residents. Testing was offered in medical clinics, schools, community centers, and churches. Sites were visited in random order in which adults were tested, and demographic and socioeconomic information was collected to identify factors linked to testing activity. The study team worked with the Mayor’s Healthy City Initiative and the LA CaTS Community Advisory Boards to conduct focus groups with community members. These sessions gathered detailed feedback on testing access, attitudes toward testing, and barriers that limited participation. Insights from these focus groups guided the development of community-driven approaches to improve testing uptake.

Outcome/Impact: The study identified clear differences in testing patterns across community and clinical settings and clarified which locations encouraged the highest participation. Community feedback revealed specific barriers that discouraged testing, including distrust, transportation issues, and confusion about testing procedures. These findings helped shape strategies for future outreach and improved guidance on how to promote equitable access to testing in underserved Black communities. The results supported efforts to ensure fair deployment of future testing resources and vaccine initiatives across the state.