Abstract
BackgroundSmartphone-based contact tracing apps can contribute to reducing COVID-19 transmission rates and thereby support countries emerging from lockdowns as restrictions are gradually eased.ObjectiveThe primary objective of our study is to determine the potential uptake of a contact tracing app in the Dutch population, depending on the characteristics of the app.MethodsA discrete choice experiment was conducted in a nationally representative sample of 900 Dutch respondents. Simulated maximum likelihood methods were used to estimate population average and individual-level preferences using a mixed logit model specification. Individual-level uptake probabilities were calculated based on the individual-level preference estimates and subsequently aggregated into the sample as well as subgroup-specific contact tracing app adoption rates.ResultsThe predicted app adoption rates ranged from 59.3% to 65.7% for the worst and best possible contact tracing app, respectively. The most realistic contact tracing app had a predicted adoption of 64.1%. The predicted adoption rates strongly varied by age group. For example, the adoption rates of the most realistic app ranged from 45.6% to 79.4% for people in the oldest and youngest age groups (ie, ≥75 years vs 15-34 years), respectively. Educational attainment, the presence of serious underlying health conditions, and the respondents’ stance on COVID-19 infection risks were also correlated with the predicted adoption rates but to a lesser extent.ConclusionsA secure and privacy-respecting contact tracing app with the most realistic characteristics can obtain an adoption rate as high as 64% in the Netherlands. This exceeds the target uptake of 60% that has been formulated by the Dutch government. The main challenge will be to increase the uptake among older adults, who are least inclined to install and use a COVID-19 contact tracing app.
Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic has formed an unprecedented public health, societal, and economic crisis
We examined whether the choice behavior differed by sex, age group, highest level of education, general health, chronic conditions or reduced resistance, whether someone experienced COVID-19 symptoms, and whether respondents actively used health apps
Almost 25% of the respondents reported that they experienced COVID-19 symptoms during the last 2 months, and 1.4% (n=14) of respondents tested positive for COVID-19
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic has formed an unprecedented public health, societal, and economic crisis. In an effort to stop the spread of the virus, societies have been locked down to varying degrees with social distancing; stay-at-home measures; and closures of schools, universities, and business. These policies are socially painful and economically costly. Whether enforced or voluntary, could ease the social and economic impact of these policies. Such measures require that people who are infected be quickly identified and isolated, and that their recent contacts are quarantined for the duration of the disease incubation period. Smartphone-based contact tracing apps can contribute to reducing COVID-19 transmission rates and thereby support countries emerging from lockdowns as restrictions are gradually eased
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
