The Influence of Normative Perceptions on the Uptake of Digital Contact Tracing Device for COVID-19: Findings from Singapore (Preprint)
BACKGROUND In 2020, the Singapore government rolled out the TraceTogether (TT) Programme, a digital system to facilitate contact tracing efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This system is available as a smartphone app and Bluetooth-enabled token to help identify close contacts. As of February 1 2021, more than 80% of the population have either downloaded the mobile app or collected the token in Singapore. Despite the high adoption rate of the TT mobile app and token (i.e. device), it is unclear about the uptake and usage by the public, which is the key to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the community. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the normative influences on the TT device use for contact tracing purposes, informed by the Theory of Normative Social Behaviour (TNSB). METHODS Cross-sectional data (n = 1,137) were collected from January to February 2021 by a local research company through sending invitation emails to their panel members about participation in an online survey. Multivariate (linear and ordinal logistic) regression analyses were carried out to assess the relationships of the outcome variables (TT device usage and behavioural intentions) to potential predictors including perceived social norms, perceive community and interpersonal communication. RESULTS Regression analyses indicated that descriptive norms (unstandardized regression coefficient, β = 0.31, SE = 0.29, P < .001) and injunctive norms (β = 0.16, SE = 0.16, P < .001) were significantly, positively associated with intentions to use TT device. It was also found that descriptive norms was a significant predictor of TT device use frequency (adjusted odds ratio, OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.66 – 2.61, P < .001). Although injunctive norms was not significantly related to TT device use frequency, it moderated the relationship between descriptive norms and the outcome variable (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.03 – 1.21, P = .005). CONCLUSIONS Findings provide theoretical and practical implications for norm-based communication interventions to increase the uptake of the digital contact tracing device and other preventive behaviours for COVID-19. CLINICALTRIAL N/A