The French Covid-19 contact tracing app: knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices of students in the health domain

Abstract

Background: Many countries around the world have developed mobile phone apps capable of supporting instantaneous contact tracing to control the Covid-19 pandemic. In France, a few people have downloaded and are using the StopCovid contact tracing app. Reasons for this low uptake are unexplored. Students in the health domain are especially concerned and their usage and opinions about the app can inform improvements and diffusion of StopCovid among young people. Objective: To investigate health-related students' usage and opinions about the StopCovid app. Methods: A field survey was conducted among 318 students at the health sciences campus of the University of Bordeaux, France. Quota sampling method was used and descriptive statistics were performed. Results: A total of 77.3% (246/318) students had heard about the app, but only 11.3% (36/318) had downloaded it and 4.7% (15/318) were still using it. Main reasons for not using the app were: belief that it was not effective given its limited diffusion (17.6%, 37/210), lack of interest (17.6%, 37/210) and distrust in data security and fear to be geo-located (15.7%, 33/210). Among those who had not heard about the app, after a brief description of its functioning and confidentiality policy, 52.7% (38/72) would use it. Participants reported that the main solution for increasing the use of the app would be a better communication strategy (71.4%, 227/318). Conclusion: Findings suggest that University-based communication interventions are needed to increase knowledge and uptake of the StopCovid app among students.

Anatomy of digital contact tracing: Role of age, transmission setting, adoption, and case detection

“…Official figures may overestimate real adoption levels, because many individuals may download the application without using it. In France, this proportion was 60% among university students (53).…”

“…Higher levels were observed, e.g., in Australia (6 million downloads, 25% of the population) ( 51 ) and Iceland (~150 thousand, 38%) ( 52 ).Official figures may overestimate real adoption levels, because many individuals may download the application without using it. In France, this proportion was 60% among university students ( 53 ). Individuals may be more inclined to use the app if they perceive a direct and immediate benefit from its use.…”

“…This may be implemented through, e.g., easy access to testing in case they are notified as contacts and assistance by public health professionals. Moreover, even if the application preserves users' privacy and can be downloaded on a voluntary basis in many countries, increased transparency and ethical debate remain essential to reassure the population about data treatment (53)(54)(55).…”

Considerations for the Design and Implementation of COVID-19 Contact Tracing Apps: Scoping Review

“…An easy system for reporting technical difficulties and a minimally disruptive evaluation of other app functionalities may therefore increase use. Moreover, since one main barrier to app uptake is privacy and data security concerns [ 21 - 23 , 27 , 29 , 49 , 75 , 76 ], users can be empowered by designs that use customizable app functionalities. For example, app users could be offered choices in the technology used to collect the data (GPS or Bluetooth), how the data is stored [ 77 ], and the level of interaction with local health agencies.…”

“…An influential modeling study published by a team of researchers at the University of Oxford originally suggested that a 60% adoption rate should be targeted for effective virus transmission reduction, although any level of uptake may help lower disease transmission [ 19 , 20 ]. Even though numerous public consultations have suggested a general willingness to use contact tracing apps during the pandemic [ 21 - 28 ], the available data suggests low rates of continuous use in practice [ 27 , 29 , 30 ]. For instance, app penetration rates as of March 2021 were as low as 3.6% in France, 6.1% in Japan, 14% in Canada, and 28.5% in the United Kingdom.…”