Table 3.

Assessment of evidence base using Joanna Briggs Institute’s critical appraisal of quantitative evidence tool for descriptive/case-series studies

Item	Question	Answer	Comments
1	Was the study based on a random or pseudo-random sample? (We also considered selection of consecutive or total sample acceptable)	No	Convenience samples in all but two studies [33, 42]
2	Were the criteria for inclusion in the sample clearly defined?	Yes	Inclusion criteria reported
3	Were confounding factors identified, and strategies to deal with them stated?	Testing behavior outcomes: no	Factors other than chance alone (e.g., access to health care, risk behavior) among populations could have contributed to differences in observed testing behaviors among studies
		Identification of factors associated with testing behaviors: yes	Studies usually implemented multivariate analyses to control for confounding effects of other factors when investigating demographic or other factors potentially associated with testing behaviors
4	Were outcomes assessed using objective criteria?	Yes	Outcomes of interest were all objective
5	If comparisons were being made, was there sufficient description of groups?	Not relevant	All behaviors and analyses were of single-group cohorts
6	Was follow-up carried out over a sufficient time period?	Not relevant	All samples were cross-sectional without follow-up (or baseline data were assessed as cross-sectional data)
7	Were the outcomes of people who withdrew described and included in the analysis?	No	There were generally high rates of survey non-completion, and insufficient data for researchers to compare completers to non-completers
8	Were outcomes measured in a valid and reliable way?	No	Testing behaviors and all data were self-reported. Some required recall (e.g., testing frequency within previous 12 months)
9	Were appropriate statistical analyses of testing behaviors and factors associated with them reported? (We also considered reporting of appropriate data to calculate testing behaviors acceptable)	Yes	Testing behaviors were reported as the proportion of respondents with that outcome divided by the total number. The studies that assessed factors associated with testing behaviors used regression analyses