The availability of COVID-19 testing was not related to the state of economic development, χ2 (2, N = 625) = 0.249, p = 0.883, but was related to the continent of origin, χ2 (5, N = 622) = 30.794, p < .001 (Table 1). However, those living in nations with universal health care were significantly more likely than those living in countries without guaranteed health care to report availability of testing, χ2 (3, N = 625) = 46.259, p < 0.001 (Table 2).
Table 1 Continent versus availability of COVID-19 testing.
Continent Has/is COVID testing widely available? N (%)
Asia Yes 56 (64.4)
No 31 (35.6)
Africa Yes 17 (70.8)
No 7 (29.2)
South America Yes 77 (81.9)
No 17 (18.1)
Europe Yes 142 (68.6)
No 65 (31.4)
North America Yes 91 (55.2)
No 74 (44.8)
Australia Yes 39 (88.6)
No 5 (11.4)
Table 2 Health care system versus availability of COVID-19 testing.
Nation’s health care system Is/has COVID-19 testing been widely available? N (%)
Universal/government funded health care Yes 253 (75.5)
No 82 (24.5)
Tiered system, basic health care with available private insurance Yes 117 (68.8)
No 53 (31.2)
Public/private insurance Yes 49 (49.0)
No 51 (51.0)
Self pay for care Yes 4 (20.0)
No 16 (80.0)