Industry and workplace characteristics associated with the downloading of a COVID-19 contact tracing app in Japan: a nation-wide cross-sectional study.
10.1186/s12199-021-01016-1
- Author:
Tomohiro ISHIMARU
1
;
Koki IBAYASHI
2
;
Masako NAGATA
3
;
Ayako HINO
4
;
Seiichiro TATEISHI
5
;
Mayumi TSUJI
6
;
Akira OGAMI
7
;
Shinya MATSUDA
8
;
Yoshihisa FUJINO
2
Author Information
1. Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan. ishimaru@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp.
2. Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan.
3. Department of Occupational Health Practice and Management, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan.
4. Department of Mental Health, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan.
5. Department of Occupational Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan.
6. Department of Environmental Health, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan.
7. Department of Work Systems and Health, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan.
8. Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan.
- Collective Name:CORoNaWork Project
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
COVID-19;
Contact tracing;
SARS-CoV-2;
Smartphone;
Worksite
- MeSH:
Adult;
COVID-19/prevention & control*;
Contact Tracing/methods*;
Cross-Sectional Studies;
Female;
Humans;
Industry/classification*;
Japan/epidemiology*;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Mobile Applications/statistics & numerical data*;
SARS-CoV-2;
Smartphone;
Workplace/statistics & numerical data*
- From:Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine
2021;26(1):94-94
- CountryJapan
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND:To combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many countries have used contact tracing apps, including Japan's voluntary-use contact-confirming application (COCOA). The current study aimed to identify industry and workplace characteristics associated with the downloading of this COVID-19 contact tracing app.
METHODS:This cross-sectional study of full-time workers used an online survey. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations of industry and workplace characteristics with contact tracing app use.
RESULTS:Of the 27,036 participants, 25.1% had downloaded the COCOA. Workers in the public service (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-1.45) and information technology (aOR = 1.38, 95% CI 1.20-1.58) industries were more likely to use the app than were those in the manufacturing industry. In contrast, app usage was less common among workers in the retail and wholesale (aOR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.76-0.99) and food/beverage (aOR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.70-0.94) industries, but further adjustment for company size attenuated these associations. Workers at larger companies were more likely to use the app. Compared with permanent employees, the odds of using the app were higher for managers and civil servants but lower for those who were self-employed.
CONCLUSIONS:Downloading of COCOA among Japanese workers was insufficient; thus, the mitigating effect of COCOA on the COVID-19 pandemic is considered to be limited. One possible reason for the under-implementation of the contact tracing app in the retail and wholesale and food/beverage industries is small company size, as suggested by the fully adjusted model results. An awareness campaign should be conducted to promote the widespread use of the contact tracing app in these industries.
