Predictors to use mobile apps for monitoring COVID-19 symptoms and contact tracing: A survey among Dutch citizens

Kosterink, Stephanie; Hurmuz, Marian Z.M.; Ouden, Marjolein E.M. den; Velsen, Lex van

doi:10.1101/2020.06.02.20113423

Cited by 26 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…An easy system for reporting technical difficulties and a minimally disruptive evaluation of other app functionalities may therefore increase use. Moreover, since one main barrier to app uptake is privacy and data security concerns [ 21 - 23 , 27 , 29 , 49 , 75 , 76 ], users can be empowered by designs that use customizable app functionalities. For example, app users could be offered choices in the technology used to collect the data (GPS or Bluetooth), how the data is stored [ 77 ], and the level of interaction with local health agencies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Considerations for the Design and Implementation of COVID-19 Contact Tracing Apps: Scoping Review

Osmanlliu¹,

Rafie²,

Bédard³

et al. 2021

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth

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Background Given the magnitude and speed of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, achieving timely and effective manual contact tracing has been a challenging task. Early in the pandemic, contact tracing apps generated substantial enthusiasm due to their potential for automating tracing and reducing transmission rates while enabling targeted confinement strategies. However, although surveys demonstrate public interest in using such apps, their actual uptake remains limited. Their social acceptability is challenged by issues around privacy, fairness, and effectiveness, among other concerns. Objective This study aims to examine the extent to which design and implementation considerations for contact tracing apps are detailed in the available literature, focusing on aspects related to participatory and responsible eHealth innovation, and synthesize recommendations that support the development of successful COVID-19 contact tracing apps and related eHealth technologies. Methods Searches were performed on five databases, and articles were selected based on eligibility criteria. Papers pertaining to the design, implementation, or acceptability of contact tracing apps were included. Articles published since 2019, written in English or French, and for which the full articles were available were considered eligible for analysis. To assess the scope of the knowledge found in the current literature, we used three complementary frameworks: (1) the Holistic Framework to Improve the Uptake and Impact of eHealth Technologies, (2) the Montreal model, and (3) the Responsible Innovation in Health Assessment Tool. Results A total of 63 articles qualified for the final analysis. Less than half of the selected articles cited the need for a participatory process (n=25, 40%), which nonetheless was the most frequently referenced item of the Framework to Improve the Uptake and Impact of eHealth Technologies. Regarding the Montreal model, stakeholder consultation was the most frequently described level of engagement in the development of contact tracing apps (n=24, 38%), while collaboration and partnership were cited the least (n=2, 3%). As for the Responsible Innovation in Health framework, all the articles (n=63, 100%) addressed population health, whereas only 2% (n=1) covered environmental considerations. Conclusions Most studies lacked fundamental aspects of eHealth development and implementation. Our results demonstrate that stakeholders of COVID-19 contact tracing apps lack important information to be able to critically appraise this eHealth innovation. This may have contributed to the modest uptake of contact tracing apps worldwide. We make evidence-informed recommendations regarding data management, communication, stakeholder engagement, user experience, and implementation strategies for the successful and responsible development of contact tracing apps.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Considerations for the Design and Implementation of COVID-19 Contact Tracing Apps: Scoping Review

Osmanlliu¹,

Rafie²,

Bédard³

et al. 2021

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Respondents also reported that the clarity on how the app functioned was correlated to the will to use it. Dutch citizens were interviewed in two studies [ 20 , 23 ]: 41.2%-64.1% of the respondents (n=238 [ 20 ] and n=900 [ 23 ], respectively) were willing to use a contact tracing app. In one study [ 20 ], the main reason to use such an app was to control the spread of COVID-19 (30.6%).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health Care Students’ Knowledge of and Attitudes, Beliefs, and Practices Toward the French COVID-19 App: Cross-sectional Questionnaire Study

Montagni¹,

Roussel²,

Thiébaut³

et al. 2021

J Med Internet Res

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Background Many countries worldwide have developed mobile phone apps capable of supporting instantaneous contact tracing to control the COVID-19 pandemic. In France, a few people have downloaded and are using the StopCovid contact tracing app. Students in the health domain are of particular concern in terms of app uptake. Exploring their use and opinions about the app can inform improvements and diffusion of StopCovid among young people. Objective The aim of this study is to investigate health care students’ knowledge of and attitudes, beliefs, and practices (KABP) toward the StopCovid app. Methods A field survey was conducted among 318 students at the health sciences campus of the University of Bordeaux, France, between September 25 and October 16, 2020. A quota sampling method was used, and descriptive statistics and univariate analyses were performed. Results Of the 318 respondents, 77.3% (n=246) had heard about the app, but only 11.3% (n=36) had downloaded it, and 4.7% (n=15) were still using it at the time of the survey. Among the 210 participants who had heard about the app but did not download it, the main reasons for not using the app were a belief that it was not effective given its limited diffusion (n=37, 17.6%), a lack of interest (n=37, 17.6%), and distrust in the data security and fear of being geolocated (n=33, 15.7%). Among the 72 students who had not heard of the app and were given a brief description of its functioning and confidentiality policy, 52.7% (n=38) said they would use it. Participants reported that the main solution for increasing the use of the app would be better communication about it (227/318, 71.4%). Conclusions Even among health students, the contact tracing app was poorly used. The findings suggest that improved communication about its advantages and simplicity of use as well as clarifying false beliefs about it could help improve uptake.

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“…Participatory syndromic surveillance has informed public health for nearly a decade 1,2 , though it was the COVID-19 pandemic that spurred the rapid development of multiple, digital monitoring platforms [3][4][5][6][7][8][9] to accelerate our understanding of and response to SARS-CoV-2 globally 10 . These citizen science initiatives encompass a range of participant interfaces including website 3,5,9 , phone 5 , text message 9 and smartphone applications 4,6 , using crosssectional and longitudinal study designs, and implementing varying degrees of population sampling or engagement.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…clinical features of hospitalized COVID-19) 12,13 . As an example of the utility of such platforms, prediction of COVID-19 infection using symptom-based scores was pioneered using data from these platforms in response to the limited testing capacity early during the pandemic, and highlighted early the potential importance of smell and taste disorders 8,14 . COVID-19 participatory surveillance platforms function in regions that have been variably impacted by the pandemic, though there has been no direct comparison of these data.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anosmia and other SARS-CoV-2 positive test-associated symptoms, across three national, digital surveillance platforms as the COVID-19 pandemic and response unfolded: an observation study

Sudre

Keshet

Graham

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: Multiple participatory surveillance platforms were developed across the world in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a real-time understanding of community-wide COVID-19 epidemiology. During this time, testing criteria broadened and healthcare policies matured. We sought to test whether there were consistent associations of symptoms with SARS-CoV-2 test status across three national surveillance platforms, during periods of testing and policy changes, and whether inconsistencies could better inform our understanding and future studies as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses. Methods: Four months (1st April 2020 to 31st July 2020) of observation through three volunteer COVID-19 digital surveillance platforms targeting communities in three countries (Israel, United Kingdom, and United States). Logistic regression of self-reported symptom on self-reported SARS-CoV-2 test status (or test access), adjusted for age and sex, in each of the study cohorts. Odds ratios over time were compared to known changes in testing policies and fluctuations in COVID-19 incidence. Findings: Anosmia/ageusia was the strongest, most consistent symptom associated with a positive COVID-19 test, based on 658325 tests (5% positive) from over 10 million respondents in three digital surveillance platforms using longitudinal and cross-sectional survey methodologies. During higher-incidence periods with broader testing criteria, core COVID-19 symptoms were more strongly associated with test status. Lower incidence periods had, overall, larger confidence intervals. Interpretation: The strong association of anosmia/ageusia with self-reported SARS-CoV-2 test positivity is omnipresent, supporting its validity as a reliable COVID-19 signal, regardless of the participatory surveillance platform or testing policy. This analysis highlights that precise effect estimates, as well as an understanding of test access patterns to interpret differences, are best done only when incidence is high. These findings strongly support the need for testing access to be as open as possible both for real-time epidemiologic investigation and public health utility.

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Predictors to use mobile apps for monitoring COVID-19 symptoms and contact tracing: A survey among Dutch citizens

Cited by 26 publications

References 15 publications

Considerations for the Design and Implementation of COVID-19 Contact Tracing Apps: Scoping Review

Considerations for the Design and Implementation of COVID-19 Contact Tracing Apps: Scoping Review

Health Care Students’ Knowledge of and Attitudes, Beliefs, and Practices Toward the French COVID-19 App: Cross-sectional Questionnaire Study

Anosmia and other SARS-CoV-2 positive test-associated symptoms, across three national, digital surveillance platforms as the COVID-19 pandemic and response unfolded: an observation study

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