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Case study
CONFINS: Large-Scale Digital Epidemiology During the COVID-19 Pandemic 

The CONFINS study is a national, online epidemiological e-cohort launched in France in 2020 following the first COVID-19 containment measures. The project was initiated by Kappa Santé, Kap Code, and researchers from the Inserm research center Bordeaux Population Health, in response to the urgent need to understand the population-level impact of the pandemic. 

The study focuses on the psychological, emotional, and behavioral consequences of COVID-19, as well as public perceptions of treatments and vaccines. 

The Challenge

The COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented need for rapid, scalable, and continuous data collection under conditions of social restriction and uncertainty. The project required a fully digital, agile solution capable of generating robust real-world insights in real time. 

Rapid deployment of a national study during a public health crisis
Sustaining participant engagement over time
Capturing high-frequency data at population scale
Addressing sensitive topics such as mental health and vaccine hesitancy

The APICES / Kappa Santé Approach

Kappa Santé led the design and operational implementation of the CONFINS digital cohort, leveraging advanced digital and epidemiological expertise.

Key elements of the approach included:

  • Design and launch of a fully online e-cohort, accessible nationwide
  • Weekly questionnaires enabling longitudinal follow-up of participants
  • Collection of data on mental health, behaviors, attitudes toward vaccination, and perceived risks
  • Continuous data monitoring to ensure data quality and analytical relevance

This digital-first approach enabled rapid scale-up while maintaining scientific robustness. The CONFINS study has generated high-value insights into the societal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in France. 

participants responding weekly

Clear evidence of the pandemic’s impact on student mental health

Valuable insights into vaccine hesitancy and public perception

A widely used dataset supporting public health research and policy discussions

The CONFINS project highlights APICES and Kappa Santé’s ability to rapidly deliver large-scale digital epidemiology studies in high-pressure public health contexts.