TY - JOUR
T1 - Modeling SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence and its determinants in Ghana
T2 - A nationally representative crosssectional survey
AU - Donkor, Irene Owusu
AU - Mensah, Sedzro Kojo
AU - Dwomoh, Duah
AU - Akorli, Jewelna
AU - Abuaku, Benjamin
AU - Ashong, Yvonne
AU - Opoku, Millicent
AU - Andoh, Nana Efua
AU - Sumboh, Jeffrey Gabriel
AU - Ohene, Sally Ann
AU - Owusu-Asare, Ama Akyampomaa
AU - Quartey, Joseph
AU - Dumashie, Edward
AU - Lomotey, Elvis Suatey
AU - Odumang, Daniel Adjei
AU - Gyamfi, Grace Opoku
AU - Dorcoo, Christopher
AU - Afatodzie, Millicent Selassie
AU - Osabutey, Dickson
AU - Bint Yussif Ismail, Rahmat
AU - Quaye, Isaac
AU - Bosomprah, Samuel
AU - Munster, Vincent
AU - Koram, Kwadwo Ansah
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Owusu Donkor et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
PY - 2023/5
Y1 - 2023/5
N2 - Estimates of SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates have significant public health policy implications since they shed light on the severity of illness in various groups and aid in strategic deployment of diagnostics, treatment and vaccination. Population-based investigations have not been conducted in Ghana to identify the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2. We conducted an age stratified nationally representative household study to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV- 2 and identify risk factors between February and December 2021. Study participants, 5 years and older regardless of prior or current infection COVID-19 infection from across Ghana were included in the study. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, contact with an individual with COVID-19-related symptoms, history of COVID-19-related illness, and adherence to infection prevention measures were collected. Serum obtained was tested for total antibodies with the WANTAI ELISA kit. The presence of antibodies against SAR-COV-2 was detected in 3,476 of 5,348 participants, indicating a seroprevalence of 67.10% (95% CI: 63.71-66.26). Males had lower seroprevalence (65.8% [95% CI: 63.5-68.04]) than females (68.4% [95% CI: 66.10- 69.92]). Seroprevalence was lowest in >20 years (64.8% [95% CI: 62.36-67.19]) and highest among young adults; 20-39 years (71.1% [95% CI 68.83,73.39]). Seropositivity was associated with education, employment status and geographic location. Vaccination status in the study population was 10%. Exposure is more likely in urban than rural areas thus infection prevention protocols must be encouraged and maintained. Also, promoting vaccination in target groups and in rural areas is necessary to curb transmission of the virus.
AB - Estimates of SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates have significant public health policy implications since they shed light on the severity of illness in various groups and aid in strategic deployment of diagnostics, treatment and vaccination. Population-based investigations have not been conducted in Ghana to identify the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2. We conducted an age stratified nationally representative household study to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV- 2 and identify risk factors between February and December 2021. Study participants, 5 years and older regardless of prior or current infection COVID-19 infection from across Ghana were included in the study. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, contact with an individual with COVID-19-related symptoms, history of COVID-19-related illness, and adherence to infection prevention measures were collected. Serum obtained was tested for total antibodies with the WANTAI ELISA kit. The presence of antibodies against SAR-COV-2 was detected in 3,476 of 5,348 participants, indicating a seroprevalence of 67.10% (95% CI: 63.71-66.26). Males had lower seroprevalence (65.8% [95% CI: 63.5-68.04]) than females (68.4% [95% CI: 66.10- 69.92]). Seroprevalence was lowest in >20 years (64.8% [95% CI: 62.36-67.19]) and highest among young adults; 20-39 years (71.1% [95% CI 68.83,73.39]). Seropositivity was associated with education, employment status and geographic location. Vaccination status in the study population was 10%. Exposure is more likely in urban than rural areas thus infection prevention protocols must be encouraged and maintained. Also, promoting vaccination in target groups and in rural areas is necessary to curb transmission of the virus.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85195516610&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001851
DO - 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001851
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85195516610
SN - 2767-3375
VL - 3
JO - PLOS Global Public Health
JF - PLOS Global Public Health
IS - 5
M1 - e0001851
ER -
