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Struck et al. (2022) High seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Madagascar in 2021.pdf (1.24 MB)

High seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Burkina-Faso, Ghana and Madagascar in 2021: a population-based study

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posted on 2023-06-10, 04:40 authored by Nicole S Struck, Eva Lorenz, Christina Deschermeier, Daniel Eibach, Jenny Kettenbeil, Wibke Loag, Steven BriegerSteven Brieger, Anna M Ginsbach, Christian Obirikorang, Oumou Maiga-Ascofare, Yaw Adu Sarkodie, Eric Ebenezer Amprofi Boham, Evans Asamoah Adu, Gracelyn Asare, Amos Amoako-Adusei, others
Background The current COVID-19 pandemic affects the entire world population and has serious health, economic and social consequences. Assessing the prevalence of COVID-19 through population-based serological surveys is essential to monitor the progression of the epidemic, especially in African countries where the extent of SARS-CoV-2 spread remains unclear. Methods A two-stage cluster population-based SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence survey was conducted in Bobo-Dioulasso and in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Fianarantsoa, Madagascar and Kumasi, Ghana between February and June 2021. IgG seropositivity was determined in 2,163 households with a specificity improved SARS-CoV-2 Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay. Population seroprevalence was evaluated using a Bayesian logistic regression model that accounted for test performance and age, sex and neighbourhood of the participants. Results Seroprevalence adjusted for test performance and population characteristics were 55.7% [95% Credible Interval (CrI) 49·0; 62·8] in Bobo-Dioulasso, 37·4% [95% CrI 31·3; 43·5] in Ouagadougou, 41·5% [95% CrI 36·5; 47·2] in Fianarantsoa, and 41·2% [95% CrI 34·5; 49·0] in Kumasi. Within the study population, less than 6% of participants performed a test for acute SARS-CoV-2 infection since the onset of the pandemic. Conclusions High exposure to SARS-CoV-2 was found in the surveyed regions albeit below the herd immunity threshold and with a low rate of previous testing for acute infections. Despite the high seroprevalence in our study population, the duration of protection from naturally acquired immunity remains unclear and new virus variants continue to emerge. This highlights the importance of vaccine deployment and continued preventive measures to protect the population at risk.

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Publication status

  • Published

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  • Published version

Journal

BMC Public Health

ISSN

1471-2458

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Volume

22

Page range

a1617 1-9

Department affiliated with

  • Strategy and Marketing Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2022-09-07

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2022-09-07

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2022-09-06

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