Towards a digital solution: Predicting public take-up of Singapore’s contact tracing mobile application during the COVID-19 crisis

In the global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), new digital solutions have been developed for infection control. In particular, contact tracing mobile applications provide a means for governments to manage both health and economic concerns. As public reception is paramount to success, we conducted a systematic examination of sociodemographic characteristics that predict downloads of a contact tracing application. Participants were 505 adults who completed a web-based survey in Singapore, the site of the first contact tracing application (TraceTogether). We found that persons who had already changed their lifestyles on account of the pandemic were more likely to download the application. Network analyses revealed that contact tracing downloads was associated with using hand sanitizers, avoiding public transport, and preferring outdoor over indoor venues during the pandemic. However, demographic and situational characteristics were not significant predictors of application downloads. Together, these findings provide a base for policy makers to promote the uptake of digital contact tracing. Highlights Worldwide, digital contact tracing has been introduced to control the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In a survey of 505 participants, we investigated sociodemographic factors predicting voluntary downloads of a contact tracing mobile application. Use of the contact tracing application was predicted by the extent to which an individual had modified his / her behaviors because of the outbreak. Network analyses revealed that application usage was associated with using hand sanitizers, avoiding public transport, and preferring outdoor over indoor venues. No demographic factor significantly predicted application usage.