Widening or narrowing inequalities? The equity implications of digital tools to support COVID‐19 contact tracing: A qualitative study

O’Donnell, Catherine; Macdonald, Sara; Browne, Susan; Albanese, Alessio; Blane, David; Ibbotson, Tracy; Laidlaw, Lynn; Heaney, David; Lowe, David J

doi:10.1111/hex.13593

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…As a result, they have limited learning resources and depend on limited printed books. A similar result found by O' Donnell et al [14], asserted that the powerlessness to afford smartphones and the data for the internet, the lack of pro ciency in digital tools and standard language for academic activities are the main barrier to students living in poverty for better class engagement including the additional cost and efforts. It is sensitive ceased to use multiple resources for learning.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 62%

The influence of poverty on class engagement toward assignment submission in Community Schools of Nepal

Khatri,

Thapa

2024

Preprint

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The relationship between poverty and education is complex and interdependent. Poverty limits access to quality schools and educational resources, leading to lower academic performance and class engagement. The objective of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of poverty on class engagement in assignment submission. A cross-sectional survey has been applied in a quantitative and positivist philosophical setting. Five hundred and thirty samples were randomly selected from 20 community schools in Jhapa and Morang using stratified sampling. Poverty identification was based on the Nepal Multidimensional Poverty Index (MMPI), 2021. Primary data is based on self-reports and non-standard questionnaires and analyzed through Stata 14 by taking support of logistic regression. The study found that 90 percent are far from better learning resources and about 50 percent of impoverished students have fewer opportunities to correct assignments regularly. The majority of poor students who do not complete homework within the deadline are punished physically. Similarly, more than 70 percent of students living in poverty have no access to interaction and learning support. According to the study's findings, students living in poverty participate less actively in class during the submission and correction of assignments. Poverty-stricken students have not taken full advantage of their educational prospects. The study suggests that quality education for students living in poverty is possible through the provision of quality educational resources, support to teachers and families, and the implementation of programs that address the specific needs of children.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 62%

The influence of poverty on class engagement toward assignment submission in Community Schools of Nepal

Khatri,

Thapa

2024

Preprint

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“…Previous research examining perspectives of the NZCTA, 8 and of DCT apps in other settings 2 have similarly identified a lack of trust as a significant barrier to adoption. For instance, O'Donnell et al 3 emphasised the importance of trust in the overall system, not just DCT apps, stating that many individuals expressed concerns about their data potentially being shared for benefits checks or for those in search of asylum. Our research highlights how distrust is deeply embedded in social contexts, entrenched in a colonial history that has systematically marginalised community members.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 1 Research examining public perspectives of DCT has identified barriers to adoption, including low access to ICTs, apprehensions regarding cybersecurity and privacy and a lack of trust in the government, 2 raising concerns that DCT could have a lower uptake amongst some groups who are at greater risk of more severe illness from COVID‐19. 1 However, the perspectives and experiences of these higher‐risk groups of DCT have been underrepresented in qualitative research (for a notable exception, see O'Donnell et al 3 ). This is problematic, as it underrepresents these communities' information needs, the systemic and structural barriers to adoption and how current systems could be reconfigured to better serve communities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Barriers to adopting digital contact tracing for COVID‐19: Experiences in New Zealand

Elers,

Emery,

Derrett

et al. 2024

Health Expectations

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BackgroundDigital contact tracing (DCT) was a central component of the global response to containing COVID‐19. Research has raised concerns that DCT could exacerbate inequities, yet the experiences of diverse communities at greater risk from COVID‐19 are typically underrepresented.MethodsThe present study aimed to understand the perceived barriers to the adoption of the app amongst Māori, Pasifika, and disabled people. Focus groups and interviews were undertaken with Māori, Pasifika, and disability sector stakeholders and community participants.ResultsParticipants (n = 34) generally expressed willingness to utilise DCT and support its adoption within the communities. Simultaneously, participants revealed how the app could marginalise community members who struggled with the usability and those distrusting of the government's COVID‐19 interventions.ConclusionsThe findings highlight how addressing communication inequality can assist in the development of contact‐tracing responses that are both effective and equitable. The study provides insights about the role of information and communication technologies as health resources.Patient or Public ContributionConsulting with members of the target communities was central throughout the present study, including recommendations for potential participants, participation in interviews and sharing early findings for feedback. This study reports on focus groups and interviews with individuals from Māori and disability sectors.

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“…These studies show similar determinants of the intention to accept and adopt digital tools for CT, such as privacy and security concerns [ 31 , 40 ], feelings of shame and stigma [ 41 ], trust in technologies for CT [ 42 – 44 ], social responsibility [ 29 , 31 ], performance expectancy, perceived benefits [ 29 ], and understanding [ 40 , 44 ]. More specifically, it was found that users need to have trust in their data being stored safely and that such tools are only used for the control of COVID-19 [ 43 ]. Besides this, they need to have experience in -, access to -, and competence in using digital tools (i.e., “digital literacy”), to understand and believe in the potential benefits of such tools, and to be motivated to contribute to the greater good (i.e., the public health) [ 31 , 33 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Citizen involvement in COVID-19 contact tracing with digital tools: a qualitative study to explore citizens’ perspectives and needs

van der Meer,

Helms,

Baron

et al. 2023

BMC Public Health

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Background Contact tracing (CT) is a key strategy when dealing with outbreaks of infectious diseases such as COVID-19. The scale of the COVID-19 pandemic has often left public health professionals (PHPs), who are responsible for the execution of CT, unable to keep up with the rapid and largescale spread of the virus. To enhance or support its execution, and potentially lower the workload for PHPs, citizens may be more actively involved in CT-tasks that are commonly executed by PHPs (referred to as ‘self-led CT’). There is limited insight into citizens’ perspectives on and needs for self-led CT for COVID-19. This study aims to explore the perspectives and needs of Dutch citizens on taking more responsibilities in the execution of CT for COVID-19, potentially through the use of digital tools. Methods An exploratory qualitative study was performed, in which online semi-structured interviews were conducted. Questions were based on the Reasoned Action Approach and Health Belief Model. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify citizens’ perspectives and needs to participate in self-led CT. Results We conducted 27 interviews with Dutch citizens. Seven main themes were identified from the interviews: 1) ‘Citizens’ perspectives on self-led CT are influenced by prior experiences with regular CT’, 2) ‘Citizens’ felt responsibilities and the perceived responsibilities of the PHS in CT shape their perspectives on self-led CT’, 3) ‘Anticipated impacts of self-led CT on the CT-process’, 4) ‘Citizens’ attitude towards the application of self-led CT depends on their own perceived skills and the willingness and skills of others’, 5) ‘Shame and social stigma may hamper participation in self-led CT’, 6) ‘Concerns about privacy and data security: a barrier for self-led CT’, and 7) ‘Citizens’ perspectives and anticipated needs for the implementation and application of self-led CT in practice’. Conclusions Most interviewees hold a positive attitude towards self-led CT and using digital tools for this purpose. However, their intention for self-led CT may depend on various factors, such as prior experiences with regular CT, and their perceived self-efficacy to participate. Perspectives and needs of citizens should be considered for the future implementation of self-led CT in practice.

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Widening or narrowing inequalities? The equity implications of digital tools to support COVID‐19 contact tracing: A qualitative study

Cited by 8 publications

References 48 publications

The influence of poverty on class engagement toward assignment submission in Community Schools of Nepal

The influence of poverty on class engagement toward assignment submission in Community Schools of Nepal

Barriers to adopting digital contact tracing for COVID‐19: Experiences in New Zealand

Citizen involvement in COVID-19 contact tracing with digital tools: a qualitative study to explore citizens’ perspectives and needs

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