Serena O Blacklow1, Sarah Lisker2,3, Madelena Y Ng4, Urmimala Sarkar2,3, Courtney Lyles2,3,5. 1. University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA. 2. Center for Vulnerable Populations, Department of Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. 3. Division of General Internal Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. 4. School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. 5. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the usability of mobile COVID-19 contact tracing apps, especially for individuals with barriers to communication and limited digital literacy skills. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched the Apple App Store, Google Play, peer-reviewed literature, and lay press to find contact tracing apps in the United States. We evaluated apps with a framework focused on user characteristics and user interface. RESULTS: Of the final 26 apps, 77% were on both iPhone and Android. 69% exceeded 9th grade readability, and 65% were available only in English. Only 12% had inclusive illustrations (different genders, skin tones, physical abilities). 92% alerted users of an exposure, 42% linked to a testing site, and 62% linked to a public health website within 3 clicks. CONCLUSION: Most apps alert users of COVID-19 exposure but require high English reading levels and are not fully inclusive of the U.S. population, which may limit their reach as public health tools.
OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the usability of mobile COVID-19 contact tracing apps, especially for individuals with barriers to communication and limited digital literacy skills. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched the Apple App Store, Google Play, peer-reviewed literature, and lay press to find contact tracing apps in the United States. We evaluated apps with a framework focused on user characteristics and user interface. RESULTS: Of the final 26 apps, 77% were on both iPhone and Android. 69% exceeded 9th grade readability, and 65% were available only in English. Only 12% had inclusive illustrations (different genders, skin tones, physical abilities). 92% alerted users of an exposure, 42% linked to a testing site, and 62% linked to a public health website within 3 clicks. CONCLUSION: Most apps alert users of COVID-19 exposure but require high English reading levels and are not fully inclusive of the U.S. population, which may limit their reach as public health tools.
Authors: Ardvin Kester S Ong; Yogi Tri Prasetyo; Nattakit Yuduang; Reny Nadlifatin; Satria Fadil Persada; Kirstien Paola E Robas; Thanatorn Chuenyindee; Thapanat Buaphiban Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-06-29 Impact factor: 4.614