Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody among individuals aged above 15 years and residing in congregate settings in Dire Dawa city administration, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Determining the extent of seropositivity of SARS-CoV-2 antibody has the potential to guide prevention and control efforts. We aimed to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody among individuals aged above15 years and residing in the congregate settings of Dire Dawa city administration, Ethiopia. Method We analyzed COVID-19 seroprevalence data on 684 individuals from a community based cross-sectional survey conducted among individuals aged above 15 years and residing in congregate settings in Dire Dawa from June 15 to July 30, 2020. Data were collected using interview and blood sample collection. Participants were asked about demographic characteristics, COVID-19 symptoms, and their practice of preventive measures. Seroprevalence was determined using SARS-CoV-2 IgG test. Bivariate and multivariate multilevel mixed effects logistic regression model was fitted and statistical significance was set at p value < 0.05. Result The estimated SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 3.2% (95 % CI 2.0–4.8) in the study region with no differences by age and sex but considerable differences were observed by self-reported practice of COVID-19 preventive measures. The cluster effect is not significant (P = 0.396) which has suggested no evidence of heterogeneity in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among the clusters. The odds of SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence were higher for individuals who were employed and work by moving from home to work area (AOR; 9.73 95% CI 2.51, 37.68), reported of not wearing facemasks when leaving home (AOR; 6.4 95% CI 2.30, 17.66) and did not practice physical distancing measures (AOR; 10 95% CI 3.01, 33.20) compared to their counterparts, respectively. Our estimated seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among participants who reported not to have practiced social distancing measures was 12.8 (95% CI, 7.0, 19) and 1.5 (95% CI, 0.5, 2.5) among those who reported of practicing them. More than 80% of study participants reported of implementing infection prevention measures (face masks and physical distancing recommendations). Conclusion The detected SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among the study participants was low at the time of the survey indicating higher proportion of population yet to be infected. COVID-19 preventive measures were associated with reduced seroprevalence and should be promoted to avoid transmission to the uninfected majority.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 ) IgG-antibody seroprevalence among quarantined population, during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic, In North West Ethiopia (from 30 April to 30 May 2020)

“…In our finding, a positive but non-statistically significant association was found between age during a quarantined of SARS-CoV-2 antibody sero-positivity test ( p = 0.06). The level of risk identified in our study was similar to other studies congregated population at Dire Dawa Ethiopia, 5 Israel, 28 and Southern India. 32 Although such lack of effect of age could be related to our particular choice of age category, the differences mean that the risk of getting infection might not vary by age.…”

“…5,16 After an influx or entry of COVID-19 disease in Ethiopia, quarantining has been imposed citywide and in areas where potential exposure to the contagious disease has likely happened in a large population, to ascertain if they become unwell. 1 This will help to reduce the risk of them infecting others by the implementation of separation and restriction of movement, 7,17 besides curb on the social gathering of the population, 5 and enforcement of quarantining for individuals having contact and travel history during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. 1 Different studies have also assessed the seroprevalence among close contacts and quarantined population, 18 as part of the national sample, and findings have documented a higher infection rate reported than the general population.…”

“…1 Different studies have also assessed the seroprevalence among close contacts and quarantined population, 18 as part of the national sample, and findings have documented a higher infection rate reported than the general population. 5,19 Moreover, evidence on the risk factors for acquiring COVID-19 disease among isolated populations specifically at high-risk individuals remains elusive and poorly defined. 18 As a response to this pandemic, Ethiopia enforced strict quarantine, contact tracing, and physical distancing policies resulting in one of the lowest numbers of individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 globally.…”

Estimated Infection and Vaccine Induced SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Israel among Adults, January 2020–July 2021

“…During the same year, higher seropositivity rates were observed in New York City (May–July 2020; 18+ years; 23.6% [ 10 ] and June–October 2020; 18+ years; 24.3% [ 11 ]), Saudi-Arabia (May–July 2020; 18+ years; 19.3%) [ 12 ], Ireland (June–July 2020; 18+ years; 12.6%) [ 13 ], and Mexico (August–November 2020; 20–39 (27.9%), 40–59 (27.8%) and 60+ (18.6%) years) [ 14 ]. Similar rates were observed in Ethiopia (June–July 2020; 15+ years, 3.2%) [ 15 ], England (April–September 2020; 18–65 years; 5.9%) [ 16 ], Amsterdam, the Netherlands (June and October 2020; 18–70 years, 9.4%) [ 17 ], Germany (May–June 2020; 18+ years; 11.3%) [ 10 ], and the United States (July 2020 (3.5%), December 2020 (11.5%); 16+ years) [ 18 ]. In Australia, between April and June 2020, the seropositivity rate among 20 year olds and above was lower than 1% [ 19 ].…”

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“… Overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Africa [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 ]. …”