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<p>The global spread of the COVID-19 virus posed a significant challenge to public health. Testing played a crucial role in identifying individuals infected with the COVID-19 virus, regardless of whether they showed symptoms. This process was essential for containing the virus, allowing infected individuals to be isolated and treated, and enabling the development of effective response strategies to tackle the pandemic. While most scholarly studies have focused on the demand and supply of COVID-19 tests, this article explores the factors that influenced people's decisions to get tested or avoid testing altogether. By focusing on the Indian middle class, we show that testing was primarily motivated by mandatory mobility and employment requirements, as well as concerns about safety. Those who chose not to get tested often wanted to avoid the inadequate public health infrastructure and the associated social stigma. While it is crucial to consider factors of availability and accessibility, we argue that a broader and deeper understanding can be gained by paying attention to family structure, gender, insurance status, mental health, social status and occupation.</p>

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Deciding to test: COVID-19 testing patterns among the Indian middle class

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月23日

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  • Sumeet Mhaskar,
  • Meenuka Mathew,
  • Shivangi Chandel,
  • Sonia Sebastian

摘要

The global spread of the COVID-19 virus posed a significant challenge to public health. Testing played a crucial role in identifying individuals infected with the COVID-19 virus, regardless of whether they showed symptoms. This process was essential for containing the virus, allowing infected individuals to be isolated and treated, and enabling the development of effective response strategies to tackle the pandemic. While most scholarly studies have focused on the demand and supply of COVID-19 tests, this article explores the factors that influenced people's decisions to get tested or avoid testing altogether. By focusing on the Indian middle class, we show that testing was primarily motivated by mandatory mobility and employment requirements, as well as concerns about safety. Those who chose not to get tested often wanted to avoid the inadequate public health infrastructure and the associated social stigma. While it is crucial to consider factors of availability and accessibility, we argue that a broader and deeper understanding can be gained by paying attention to family structure, gender, insurance status, mental health, social status and occupation.