Protection Motivation Perspective Regarding the Use of COVID-19 Mobile Tracing Apps Among Public Users: Empirical Study

Abstract

Background Access to data is crucial for decision-making; this fact has become more evident during the pandemic. Data collected using mobile apps can positively influence diagnosis and treatment, the supply chain, and the staffing resources of health care facilities. Developers and health care professionals have worked to create apps that can track a person’s COVID-19 status. For example, these apps can monitor positive COVID-19 test results and vaccination status. Regrettably, people may be concerned about sharing their data with government or private sector organizations that are developing apps. Understanding user perceptions is essential; without substantial user adoption and the use of mobile tracing apps, benefits cannot be achieved. Objective This study aimed to assess the factors that positively and negatively affect the use of COVID-19 tracing apps by examining individuals’ perceptions about sharing data on mobile apps, such as testing regularity, infection, and immunization status. Methods The hypothesized research model was tested using a cross-sectional survey instrument. The survey contained 5 reflective constructs and 4 control variables selected after reviewing the literature and interviewing health care professionals. A digital copy of the survey was created using Qualtrics. After receiving approval, data were collected from 367 participants through Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Participants of any gender who were 18 years or older were considered for inclusion to complete the anonymized survey. We then analyzed the theoretical model using structural equation modeling. Results After analyzing the quality of responses, 325 participants were included. Of these 325 participants, 216 (66.5%) were male and 109 (33.5%) were female. Among the participants in the final data set, 72.6% (236/325) were employed. The results of structural equation modeling showed that perceived vulnerability (β=0.688; P<.001), self-efficacy (β=0.292; P<.001), and an individual’s prior infection with COVID-19 (β=0.194; P=.002) had statistically significant positive impacts on the intention to use mobile tracing apps. Privacy concerns (β=−0.360; P<.001), risk aversion (β=−0.150; P=.09), and a family member’s prior infection with COVID-19 (β=−0.139; P=.02) had statistically significant negative influences on a person’s intention to use mobile tracing apps. Conclusions This study illustrates that various user perceptions affect whether individuals use COVID-19 tracing apps. By working collaboratively on legislation and the messaging provided to potential users before releasing an app, developers, health care professionals, and policymakers can improve the use of tracking apps. Health care professionals need to emphasize disease vulnerability to motivate people to use mobile tracing apps, which can help reduce the spread of viruses and diseases. In addition, more work is needed at the policy-making level to protect the privacy of users, which in return can increase user engagement.

Effect of educational intervention based on protection motivation theory on preventive behaviors of respiratory infections among hospital staff

“…Our results noted that after the educational intervention, there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of fear, and the mean of this construct was higher in the experimental group than the control group, which is consistent with the results of studies by Howell et al (48), Downing et al (49), and Hodge et al (50).…”

The effect of a self-learned virtual learning package on knowledge, attitude, and self-care behaviors of COVID-19 in people referred to health and treatment centers

“…This shift in attitude can be attributed to the increased knowledge acquired through the educational program. As individuals became more informed about the disease and its implications, they developed a more positive attitude towards adopting [33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42].…”