5. Conclusions
University students and staff want to keep campuses safe and contribute to the national effort to prevent and manage outbreaks of COVID-19. Asymptomatic COVID-19 testing is highly acceptable to students and staff in a university campus setting, using two types of PCR test (swab or saliva) and finger-prick antibody tests. Adherence to testing is higher for students with prior experience of self-isolating. Testing adherence is directly related to lower anxiety and students’ satisfaction with communications from the university around testing and associated support. Student anxiety levels are largely associated with personal worries about themselves or their families contracting the virus, and their satisfaction with university COVID-19 communications. Adequacy of support for student mental wellbeing will be critical during and after the pandemic, but the implications for workload and emotional burden on university staff should be carefully considered. Uptake, adherence and satisfaction with mass asymptomatic testing services in a university setting will be influenced by the continued support and time investment from university staff who have direct contact with students, the clarity of communications particularly around test results, and the level of practical, welfare and emotional support provided to students who are self-isolating.