Industry and workplace characteristics associated with the use of a COVID-19 contact tracing app in Japan: a nation-wide employee survey

Ishimaru, T.; Ibayashi, K.; Nagata, M.; Hino, A.; Tateishi, S.; Tsuji, M.; Ogami, A.; Matsuda, S.; Fujino, Y.

Objectives: 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 use 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 business 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: One possible reason for the under-implementation of the contact tracing app in the retail and wholesale and food/beverage industries is small business 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.