Predictors of contact tracing app adoption: Integrating the UTAUT, HBM and contextual factors

Nadine Elisa van der Waal, Jan de Wit, Nadine Bol, Wolfgang Ebbers, Lotty Hooft, Esther Metting and Laura Nynke van der Laan

Technology in Society, 2022, vol. 71, issue C

Abstract: Contact tracing apps (CTAs) have been introduced as a means to identify and isolate possible cases infected with COVID-19. Since the adoption rate determines the effectiveness of CTAs, it is important to examine what factors contribute to a higher CTA uptake. This study aimed to use an integrative approach to explain early CTA adoption, whereby three perspectives are distinguished: technology-related (derived from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology [UTAUT]), health-related (derived from the Health Belief Model [HBM]), and context-related. A survey was administered among a representative sample of the Dutch population (N = 1865). A hierarchical logistic regression analysis was performed in which the models were compared. Results showed that an integrative model including all three perspectives (i.e., UTAUT, HBM, and context-related variables) resulted in better model fit than any of the other models. All UTAUT variables were associated with CTA adoption in the expected directions. Regarding the HBM, self-efficacy, perceived barriers and perceived benefits were associated with CTA adoption in the expected directions. Several context-related variables, such as fear, were associated with CTA adoption. Our findings demonstrate that extending the UTAUT with preventive health-behavioral factors and contextual factors contribute to better understanding of CTA adoption.

Keywords: COVID-19; Contact tracing app; Public health; Technology adoption; Preventive health behavior; UTAUT; HBM; Contextual factors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:teinso:v:71:y:2022:i:c:s0160791x22002421

DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2022.102101

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