Collaborative Research Center 884 "Political Economy of Reforms", University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.
School of Social Sciences, University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.
J Med Internet Res. 2021 Mar 2;23(3):e23362. doi: 10.2196/23362.
During 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.
In 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.
Survey 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.
We 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%).
The 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.
在 COVID-19 大流行期间，减少 SARS-CoV-2 进一步传播的一种方法是广泛使用接触者追踪应用程序。此类应用程序可以跟踪近距离接触者，并提醒接触者感染阳性的人。
本研究分析了 2020 年 6 月 16 日在德国推出的官方接触者追踪应用程序大规模采用的潜在障碍。
在该应用程序推出的一周内，使用德国普通成年人群体的离线招募、基于概率的在线面板，从 3276 名成年人中收集了调查数据。
我们估计，18 至 77 岁的人群中有 81%拥有安装官方应用程序所需的设备和能力，其中 35%也愿意安装和使用该应用程序。潜在的传播者拥有很高的设备访问权限（92%）和很高的安装应用程序的能力（91%），但正确采用应用程序的意愿很低（31%），而对于弱势群体，主要障碍是访问权限（62%）。
研究结果表明，基于应用程序的接触者追踪在控制 COVID-19 大流行方面效果不佳。我们建议针对具有高传播病毒潜力但不愿意安装和正确使用应用程序的人群，开展信息宣传活动，特别是男性和 30 至 59 岁的人群。此外，为了克服应用程序采用的障碍，可以为弱势群体，特别是老年人和低收入家庭的人提供设备和支持。
