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To Use or Not to Use a COVID-19 Contact Tracing App: Mixed Methods Survey in Wales

Kerina Jones Orcid Logo, Rachel Thompson

JMIR mHealth and uHealth, Volume: 9, Issue: 11, Start page: e29181

Swansea University Authors: Kerina Jones Orcid Logo, Rachel Thompson

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DOI (Published version): 10.2196/29181

Abstract

Background:Background Many countries remain in the grip of the COVID-19 global pandemic with a considerable journey still ahead to emerge into a semblance of normality and freedom. Contact tracing smartphone apps are among a raft of measures introduced to reduce spread of the virus.Objective:The aim...

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Published in: JMIR mHealth and uHealth
ISSN: 2291-5222
Published: JMIR Publications Inc. 2021
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58447
first_indexed 2021-10-21T16:14:22Z
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spelling 2022-07-08T14:16:48.0383395 v2 58447 2021-10-21 To Use or Not to Use a COVID-19 Contact Tracing App: Mixed Methods Survey in Wales c13b3cd0a6f8cbac2e461b54b3cdd839 0000-0001-8164-3718 Kerina Jones Kerina Jones true false 5d2bdee781fad5d610c2d0d19a724c40 Rachel Thompson Rachel Thompson true false 2021-10-21 MEDS Background:Background Many countries remain in the grip of the COVID-19 global pandemic with a considerable journey still ahead to emerge into a semblance of normality and freedom. Contact tracing smartphone apps are among a raft of measures introduced to reduce spread of the virus.Objective:The aim of this study was to ascertain the views of citizens in Wales on their intended use of a contact tracing app, with self-proposed reasons for or against, and what could lead to a change of decision.Methods:We distributed an anonymous survey among 4,000 HealthWise Wales participants in May 2020. We took a mixed methods approach: responses to closed questions were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics; open question responses were analysed and grouped into categories.Results:A total of 976 (24.4%) people completed the survey. Smartphone usage was 91.5% overall, but this varied between age groups. 97.1% were aware of contact tracing apps, but only 67.2% felt sufficiently informed. 55.7% intended to use an app, 23.3% said no, and 21.0% were unsure. The top reasons for app use were: controlling spread of the virus, mitigating risks for others and self, and increasing freedoms. The top reasons against were: mistrusting the government, concerns about data security and privacy, and doubts about efficacy. The top response for changing their mind about app use from willing to unwilling was that nothing would. This was also the case for unwilling to willing. Among the unsure, it was the need for more information.Conclusions:Respondents demonstrated a keenness to help themselves, others, society and government to avoid the virus and to control its spread. However, digital inclusion varied among age groups, precluding participation for some people. Considering the nature of the concerns raised, and the perceived lack of information, policy and decision-makers need to do more to act openly, increase communications and demonstrate trustworthiness if members of the public are to be confident in using an app. Journal Article JMIR mHealth and uHealth 9 11 e29181 JMIR Publications Inc. 2291-5222 COVID-19; survey; Wales; contact tracing; app; mHealth; mobile apps; digital health; public health 22 11 2021 2021-11-22 10.2196/29181 COLLEGE NANME Medical School COLLEGE CODE MEDS Swansea University External research funder(s) paid the OA fee (includes OA grants disbursed by the Library) UKRI grant ES/S007393/1 2022-07-08T14:16:48.0383395 2021-10-21T17:11:48.4255660 Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences Swansea University Medical School - Medicine Kerina Jones 0000-0001-8164-3718 1 Rachel Thompson 2 58447__21905__9e31a8eb36704682827de005e20df702.pdf 58447.pdf 2021-12-17T12:04:22.5682411 Output 181107 application/pdf Version of Record true ©Kerina Jones, Rachel Thompson. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License true eng https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
title To Use or Not to Use a COVID-19 Contact Tracing App: Mixed Methods Survey in Wales
spellingShingle To Use or Not to Use a COVID-19 Contact Tracing App: Mixed Methods Survey in Wales
Kerina Jones
Rachel Thompson
title_short To Use or Not to Use a COVID-19 Contact Tracing App: Mixed Methods Survey in Wales
title_full To Use or Not to Use a COVID-19 Contact Tracing App: Mixed Methods Survey in Wales
title_fullStr To Use or Not to Use a COVID-19 Contact Tracing App: Mixed Methods Survey in Wales
title_full_unstemmed To Use or Not to Use a COVID-19 Contact Tracing App: Mixed Methods Survey in Wales
title_sort To Use or Not to Use a COVID-19 Contact Tracing App: Mixed Methods Survey in Wales
author_id_str_mv c13b3cd0a6f8cbac2e461b54b3cdd839
5d2bdee781fad5d610c2d0d19a724c40
author_id_fullname_str_mv c13b3cd0a6f8cbac2e461b54b3cdd839_***_Kerina Jones
5d2bdee781fad5d610c2d0d19a724c40_***_Rachel Thompson
author Kerina Jones
Rachel Thompson
author2 Kerina Jones
Rachel Thompson
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publisher JMIR Publications Inc.
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hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofmedicinehealthandlifesciences
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
department_str Swansea University Medical School - Medicine{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences{{{_:::_}}}Swansea University Medical School - Medicine
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description Background:Background Many countries remain in the grip of the COVID-19 global pandemic with a considerable journey still ahead to emerge into a semblance of normality and freedom. Contact tracing smartphone apps are among a raft of measures introduced to reduce spread of the virus.Objective:The aim of this study was to ascertain the views of citizens in Wales on their intended use of a contact tracing app, with self-proposed reasons for or against, and what could lead to a change of decision.Methods:We distributed an anonymous survey among 4,000 HealthWise Wales participants in May 2020. We took a mixed methods approach: responses to closed questions were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics; open question responses were analysed and grouped into categories.Results:A total of 976 (24.4%) people completed the survey. Smartphone usage was 91.5% overall, but this varied between age groups. 97.1% were aware of contact tracing apps, but only 67.2% felt sufficiently informed. 55.7% intended to use an app, 23.3% said no, and 21.0% were unsure. The top reasons for app use were: controlling spread of the virus, mitigating risks for others and self, and increasing freedoms. The top reasons against were: mistrusting the government, concerns about data security and privacy, and doubts about efficacy. The top response for changing their mind about app use from willing to unwilling was that nothing would. This was also the case for unwilling to willing. Among the unsure, it was the need for more information.Conclusions:Respondents demonstrated a keenness to help themselves, others, society and government to avoid the virus and to control its spread. However, digital inclusion varied among age groups, precluding participation for some people. Considering the nature of the concerns raised, and the perceived lack of information, policy and decision-makers need to do more to act openly, increase communications and demonstrate trustworthiness if members of the public are to be confident in using an app.
published_date 2021-11-22T08:06:29Z
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