View of CASE STUDY ON AROGYA SETU: A DIGITAL TOOL TO BATTLE COVID-19

(1)

ACCENT JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS ECOLOGY & ENGINEERING

Peer Reviewed and Refereed Journal, ISSN NO. 2456-1037

Available Online: www.ajeee.co.in/index.php/AJEEE

Vol. 06, Special Issue 01, (IC-RCOVID19) April 2021 IMPACT FACTOR: 7.98 (INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL) 92

CASE STUDY ON AROGYA SETU: A DIGITAL TOOL TO BATTLE COVID-19 Dr. Gunjan Shuklaa

Associate Professor, Renaissance University

Abstract - The purpose of the study is to understand the utility of Indian (m-health app).

With the help of this study researcher is trying to understand the ease of use and users point of view for arogyasetu. The study addresses the mechanism and structure of application and surveillance of the covid19 transmission through arogyasetu. This app was a primary protection to everyone, with the help of this study researcher is trying to understand usage and adoption of the application.

Keywords: Arogyasetu, covid19, m-health, technology, utility.

Covid19 started hitting china in Nov 2019 (M. Vanelli. 2020 and D. Cucinotta 2020), and covered almost entire world in a very short span of time, it was declared pandemic by WHO.

During initial days it was difficult to flatten the curve and to control the transmission.

Several countries like south korea , Israle and Singapore developed mobile applications to track the contact history of person, with the help of this application the risk around was easy to track (Tripathy and Singh 2020). China and Israel also developed their GPS enabled contact tracing mobile app to get the contact details and infection status of the infected persons (Jhunjhunwala 2020). Although several mobile apps were used to detect diseases and to check the self well being, as several health apps are easily available with play stores and apple store, but this particular application was a great help to the control the frequent transmission, as the disease is very contagious. Also there was lot of information available regarding covid19 protocols to be followed frequently by everyone, because initially it was very difficult to understand the symptoms. This application was used by many android or apple phone user’s phones. App is a perfect combination of blue-tooth, algorithms and artificial intelligence, Chandhak (2020), Khadilkar (2020) digital technology and its contribution to fight the pandemic. Arogyasetu helped to collect data to keep a watch on the active cases in the community; it is also very user friendly, every age group was able to use it, various studies confirmed in their selected sample size approx. 86% of users were satisfied.

Indian (m-health) app helped in surveillance of covid19 kodali (2020). To use m- health app also depends on the user’s behavior (Cho et al. 2014). The use of technology and its adoption plays important role in the execution of the application (venkatesh and davis 2000).Contract tracing is important tool for govt. to control novel corona virus (Cho et al.

2014). With the help of this study, we are able to understand the adoption of TAM in form of argogyasetu during Covid 19 venkatesh and davis (2000), and also researcher is trying to understand the intention of user for accepting new technology as arogyasetu m-health app.

The purpose was to notify the range and percentage of danger, individual is going through.

115 million approx used this application during its launch on 2^nd april 2020 (Davalbhakta 2020). The app once installed use to collect the basic information of the user along with the travel history and degree of severity and infection in a person. It was a great way to fight (SARS-CoV-2) helpful for self management and self assessment kouroubali A, et, al (2020).

There are several salient features in this application. It is user friendly and easy to operate (Dr. Madhur Gupta1, Dr. Arti Ajay Kasulkar 2020, quoted that after the launch 85%

population was aware of the technology and usage.) Scan nearby arogya setu user using bluetooth LE scanner. This m-health updates user about the nearby activity using location service.

Secures information transfer with a feature of SSL pinning encrypts any sensitive information provides nationwide covid19 statistics. Self-assessment as per MoHFW and ICMR guidelines Emergency helpline contact List of ICMR approved labs with COVID-19 testing facilities. Provision of e-Pass (required for moment for essential goods and services) utilized more by supply chain departments and sector. This application also use to have a QR code to trace the status of person .Along with this, the application used to provide the information in three primary ways- self assessment,covid19 protocols, updates of covid19.

With the help of this study researcher is trying to understand the utility of the application.

(2)

ACCENT JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS ECOLOGY & ENGINEERING

Vol. 06, Special Issue 01, (IC-RCOVID19) April 2021 IMPACT FACTOR: 7.98 (INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL) 93

The arogyasetu app has widely impacted the Indians to protect against COVID-19 Pandemic. A survey conducted recently in last week (01-04^th April, 2021 in Indore City of Madhya Pradesh) to assess the impact of arogyasetu app, 250 samples collected from different age groups.

1. FINDINGS OF THE CASE STUDY

42% of the respondents were Students, 40 % were from salaried class and rests are self employed. Out of the total respondents 76.5% respondents used app on their Cell phone rest just heard about its utility. It proves that Maximum public are aware about App and its utility but some of them may have some other problem as less trust, Memory space in mobile as well. As our concerns depended as in our findings as when 32.2% respondents said that they had doubt about their personal data may not be secured. Security is the biggest concern for online users and app where you reveal your personal data, being shared; it’s increased. Let the app service provide assure users about personal data security. When asked 55.9% of respondents found this app was easy to perform self assessment test. It means ease to perform test is well taken care by it. Interestingly 61% of respondents kept their Bluetooth always on to stay updated.

It means they are more concerned about being aware of latest development 51.2%

respondents said that features of this app should have been updated. So the app service provider need to research what’s missing in their feature which can be included for improved performance? 58.8% said this was great app to identify Hotspot location. It means this app has been successful in cautioning public about Hotspot so we can say that this app has been successful to assist public in great way. The application is also useful for travelling purpose and precautions, as it was also found that travel was one of the important reasons of spread of pandemic. Also few conveyed that registration of vaccination was a great help .This study helped to understand the utility of application, the detailed study with two basic things perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of the technology can be performed as an extension of this study. Also one of the findings says the people are aware but not downloading and using the application.

2. SUGGESTIONS

Important recommendation is usage can be improved by Safety features of the app should be improved. Also the accuracy of data which is filled by user can be a point which can be improved, as few users do not use correct information. Continuous use of blue-tooth is not good for health, so far as radiation is concerned so this feature can be improved to avoid continuous use of Bluetooth. Along with this first-aid knowledge can be improved for covid19 with doctor’s consultation for people in different locations. Also a proper diet schedule can be provided to users for improved immune system and also to positive patients who are in home isolation .The registration of vaccination process can be improved.

So above certain recommendations can be implemented to make it more robust. Also the promotion of app was not as effective as the rural areas are not covered and less aware.

Also the government should pay more attention to build the trust of users. If effectiveness improved, the application can be used more. The promotion of the application can improved in rural areas. Majorly made it compulsory for people who travel frequently to stop infection and treatment can be started at early stage with isolation of the patient. If medical history of a person is poor or some underlying conditions so app defiantly needs improvement as virus mutate and few symptoms of infection are unable to trace.

3. CONCLUSION

The study concludes that with the improved features the application can become more strong and robust. Arogyasetu is the best way to control pandemic but with more improved features and accuracy in application.

REFERENCE

1. Chandak A, Dey D, Mukhoty B, Kar P (2020) Epidemiologically and socio-economically optimal policies via Bayesian optimization. Trans Indian Natl Acad Eng. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41403-020- 00142-6.

2. Bhardwaj R (2020) A predictive model for the evolution of COVID19. Trans Indian Natl Acad Eng.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s4140 3-020-00130.

(3)

ACCENT JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS ECOLOGY & ENGINEERING

Vol. 06, Special Issue 01, (IC-RCOVID19) April 2021 IMPACT FACTOR: 7.98 (INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL) 94 3. Khadilkar H, Ganu T, Seetharam DP (2020) Optimising lockdown policies for epidemic control using

reinforcement learning. Trans Indian Natl Acad Eng. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41403-020-00129 -3.

4. Kouroubali A, Koumakis L, Kondylakis H, Katehakis DG. An integrated approach towards developing quality mobile health apps for cancer. In: Moumtzoglou A, editor. Mobile Health Applications for Quality Healthcare Delivery. Hershey, PA: IGI Global; 2019:46-71.

5. Health-seeking behavioral intentions and prevention practices of medical undergraduates during COVID- 19 lockdown period Dr. Madhur Gupta1, Dr. Arti Ajay Kasulkar : accessed (2^nd april 2020)

6. D. Cucinotta and M. Vanelli. 2020. WHO declares COVID-19 a pandemic. Acta Bio Med.: Aten. Parmen 91, 1 (2020), 157–160 .

7. Aarogya Setu. 2020. MyGov. Retrieved from https://www.mygov.in/aarogya-setu-app/.

8. World Health Organization. 2020. Digital tools for COVID-19 contact tracing: Annex: contact tracing in the context of COVID-19, 2 June 2020. World Health Organization. Retreived from https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/332265.

9. Exploring Factors Influencing the Users’ Intention to Use Aarogya Setu Contact Tracing Mobile Health Application during COVID-19 Pandemic Kharabela Rout*1 and Sonalimayee Sahu2 1,2KIIT School of Management, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, India

10. R. A. Kleinman and C. Merkel. 2020. Digital contact tracing for COVID-19. CMAJ 192, 24 (2020), E653–

E656.

11. Jhunjhunwala, A. (2020). Role of Telecom Network to Manage COVID-19 in India: Aarogya Setu.

Transactions of the Indian National Academy of Engineering,

12. 1. Kodali, P. B., Hense, S., Kopparty, S., Kalapala, G. R., & Haloi, B. (2020). How Indians responded to the Arogya Setu app? Indian Journal of Public Health, 64(6), 228.

13. Guo, X., Sun, Y., Yan, Z., & Wang, N. (2012, February). PrivacyPersonalization Paradox in Adoption of Mobile Health Service: The Mediating Role of Trust. In PACIS (p. 27).

14. Davalbhakta, S., Advani, S., Kumar, S., Agarwal, V., Bhoyar, S., Fedirko, E., & Agarwal, V. (2020). A Systematic Review of Smartphone Applications Available for CoronaVirus Disease 2019 (COVID19) and the Assessment of their Quality Using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS). Journal of Medical Systems, 44(9), 1–15.