Using Google Maps to Track Individual Activity Paths in Prevention of Dengue Transmission in Taiwan

Thursday, 19 July 2018: 2:30 PM

Chun-Yin Yeh, BS1
Nai-Ying Ko, PhD, RN2
Yu-Chen Shu, PhD3
Wei-Jie Liang, PhD3
Kun-Ta Chuang, PhD4
Wen-Chien Ko, PhD5
(1)Department of Nursing, Medical Colleage, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
(2)Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Chen Kung Universtity, Tainan, Taiwan
(3)Department of Mathematics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan
(4)Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan
(5)Department of Medicine,, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan

Background: Taiwan experienced the most severe dengue epidemic in 2015. The movement paths of patients with dengue fever are the key factor related to the spread of dengue epidemic. Information and communication technologies (ICTs), such as Global Positioning System (GPS)-enabled mobile devices, are used increasingly as a gold standard for mobility research. Users’ perceptions might influence the willingness and applicability of a novel technology in monitoring transmittable diseases.

Purpose: The study purpose was to explore user's willingness of using GPS-enabled mobile devices on individual activity paths and perceptions of being tracked in prevention of dengue virus transmission.

Methods: A prospective feasibility study was performed at a central district of Tainan, Taiwan, which was the most affected area by dengue fever in 2015. A total of 30 participants, ages ranged from 22 to 66, were enrolled. They used Google Maps timeline GPS data-loggers for 14 days to track individual activity paths and semi-structured interviews were conducted about their perceptions and concerns about being tracked. Content analysis was used by NVivo software and two researchers to extract the themes of the qualitative data independently.

Results: All people invited to this study agreed to use Google Maps timeline. The reasons for willing to use Google Maps timeline on tracking individuals’ activity paths included: data collection methods are simple, the way to use Google Maps is convenient, it is social good for prevention of infectious diseases, and ever used GPS. Three themes emerged from participants’ perceptions of being tracked by ICTs were: (1) feeling not being tracked (n=12, 40%): people felt not being tracked due to their trust of the brand of Google, they are not afraid of being tracked, and ever used GPS before. (2) feeling security (n=7, 23.3%): people felt trust and security and knew where the breed sites are if they infected with dengue. (3) worrying about the invasion of personal privacy (n=11, 36.7%): people concerned the purpose, how to use, and the consequences of using the tracking data, and feeling of being monitored and inspected by others. Participants suggested strategies of promoting ICTs on prevention of dengue virus transmission included: (1) selection high equity or well-known brands; (2) the accuracy of positioning and tracking paths; (3) easy to use and user-friendly interface design; and (4) informed consent before applying the devices to be tracked.

Conclusion: All participants agreed to be tracked individual activity paths by using GPS-enabled mobile devices. One-third of participants concerned about the invasion of personal privacy. The feasibility of applying ICTs in assisting the healthcare providers on prevention of dengue transmission could be promoted by selecting well-known brands and user-friendly interface of ICTs, improving the accuracy of positioning and tracking paths, and obtaining informed consent before applying ICTs as tracking devices.

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