Factors associated with acceptance of a digital contact tracing application for COVID-19 in the Japanese working-age population

The working-age population is at the epicenter of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections. Therefore, it is important to increase the acceptance of digital contact tracing apps in this population. Contact-Confirming Application (COCOA) is the only digital contact tracing app in Japan. This study aimed to determine factors associated with acceptance of the COCOA for COVID-19 in the Japanese working-age population. A cross-sectional study was performed for 27,036 full-time workers registered with an internet survey company during December 2020 in Japan. Factors associated with COCOA adoption were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The rate of downloading the COCOA was 25.1%. The COCOA was more likely to be accepted by people with married status, university graduation or above, higher income, and occupations involving desk work. Fear of COVID-19 transmission, wearing a mask, using hand disinfection, willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and presence of an acquaintance infected with COVID-19 were also associated with a greater likelihood of adopting the app. The rate of downloading the COCOA in Japan was not very high. The present findings have important implications for widespread adoption of digital contact tracing apps in working-age populations in Japan and elsewhere.

Automated summary

This study aimed to identify factors associated with the acceptance of the COCOA app for COVID-19 in the working-age population in Japan. The study found that married individuals, those with a university degree or higher, higher income, and desk jobs were more likely to adopt the COCOA app. Fear of COVID-19 transmission, mask usage, hand disinfection, willingness to be vaccinated, and knowing someone infected with COVID-19 were also associated with a higher likelihood of app adoption. These findings highlight the importance of promoting digital contact tracing apps among working-age populations in Japan and beyond.