Barriers to the Large-Scale Adoption of a COVID-19 Contact Tracing App in Germany: Survey Study

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, one way to reduce further transmissions of SARS-CoV-2 is the widespread use of contact tracing apps. Such apps keep track of proximity contacts and warn contacts of persons who tested positive for an infection. ObjectiveIn t...

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Main Authors: Blom, Annelies G, Wenz, Alexander, Cornesse, Carina, Rettig, Tobias, Fikel, Marina, Friedel, Sabine, Möhring, Katja, Naumann, Elias, Reifenscheid, Maximiliane, Krieger, Ulrich
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JMIR Publications 2021-03-01
Series:Journal of Medical Internet Research
Online Access:https://www.jmir.org/2021/3/e23362
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spelling doaj-c418f70e230d472491ccca8b7fd62e3f2021-04-02T20:20:37ZengJMIR PublicationsJournal of Medical Internet Research1438-88712021-03-01233e2336210.2196/23362Barriers to the Large-Scale Adoption of a COVID-19 Contact Tracing App in Germany: Survey StudyBlom, Annelies GWenz, AlexanderCornesse, CarinaRettig, TobiasFikel, MarinaFriedel, SabineMöhring, KatjaNaumann, EliasReifenscheid, MaximilianeKrieger, Ulrich BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, one way to reduce further transmissions of SARS-CoV-2 is the widespread use of contact tracing apps. Such apps keep track of proximity contacts and warn contacts of persons who tested positive for an infection. ObjectiveIn this study, we analyzed potential barriers to the large-scale adoption of the official contact tracing app that was introduced in Germany on June 16, 2020. MethodsSurvey data were collected from 3276 adults during the week the app was introduced using an offline-recruited, probability-based online panel of the general adult population in Germany. ResultsWe estimate that 81% of the population aged 18 to 77 years possess the devices and ability to install the official app and that 35% are also willing to install and use it. Potential spreaders show high access to devices required to install the app (92%) and high ability to install the app (91%) but low willingness (31%) to correctly adopt the app, whereas for vulnerable groups, the main barrier is access (62%). ConclusionsThe findings suggest a pessimistic view on the effectiveness of app-based contact tracing to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. We recommend targeting information campaigns at groups with a high potential to spread the virus but who are unwilling to install and correctly use the app, in particular men and those aged between 30 and 59 years. In addition, vulnerable groups, in particular older individuals and those in lower-income households, may be provided with equipment and support to overcome their barriers to app adoption.https://www.jmir.org/2021/3/e23362
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Blom, Annelies G
Wenz, Alexander
Cornesse, Carina
Rettig, Tobias
Fikel, Marina
Friedel, Sabine
Möhring, Katja
Naumann, Elias
Reifenscheid, Maximiliane
Krieger, Ulrich
spellingShingle Blom, Annelies G
Wenz, Alexander
Cornesse, Carina
Rettig, Tobias
Fikel, Marina
Friedel, Sabine
Möhring, Katja
Naumann, Elias
Reifenscheid, Maximiliane
Krieger, Ulrich
Barriers to the Large-Scale Adoption of a COVID-19 Contact Tracing App in Germany: Survey Study
Journal of Medical Internet Research
author_facet Blom, Annelies G
Wenz, Alexander
Cornesse, Carina
Rettig, Tobias
Fikel, Marina
Friedel, Sabine
Möhring, Katja
Naumann, Elias
Reifenscheid, Maximiliane
Krieger, Ulrich
author_sort Blom, Annelies G
title Barriers to the Large-Scale Adoption of a COVID-19 Contact Tracing App in Germany: Survey Study
title_short Barriers to the Large-Scale Adoption of a COVID-19 Contact Tracing App in Germany: Survey Study
title_full Barriers to the Large-Scale Adoption of a COVID-19 Contact Tracing App in Germany: Survey Study
title_fullStr Barriers to the Large-Scale Adoption of a COVID-19 Contact Tracing App in Germany: Survey Study
title_full_unstemmed Barriers to the Large-Scale Adoption of a COVID-19 Contact Tracing App in Germany: Survey Study
title_sort barriers to the large-scale adoption of a covid-19 contact tracing app in germany: survey study
publisher JMIR Publications
series Journal of Medical Internet Research
issn 1438-8871
publishDate 2021-03-01
description BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, one way to reduce further transmissions of SARS-CoV-2 is the widespread use of contact tracing apps. Such apps keep track of proximity contacts and warn contacts of persons who tested positive for an infection. ObjectiveIn this study, we analyzed potential barriers to the large-scale adoption of the official contact tracing app that was introduced in Germany on June 16, 2020. MethodsSurvey data were collected from 3276 adults during the week the app was introduced using an offline-recruited, probability-based online panel of the general adult population in Germany. ResultsWe estimate that 81% of the population aged 18 to 77 years possess the devices and ability to install the official app and that 35% are also willing to install and use it. Potential spreaders show high access to devices required to install the app (92%) and high ability to install the app (91%) but low willingness (31%) to correctly adopt the app, whereas for vulnerable groups, the main barrier is access (62%). ConclusionsThe findings suggest a pessimistic view on the effectiveness of app-based contact tracing to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. We recommend targeting information campaigns at groups with a high potential to spread the virus but who are unwilling to install and correctly use the app, in particular men and those aged between 30 and 59 years. In addition, vulnerable groups, in particular older individuals and those in lower-income households, may be provided with equipment and support to overcome their barriers to app adoption.
url https://www.jmir.org/2021/3/e23362
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