In:
Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research, Sciencedomain International, Vol. 35, No. 6 ( 2023-02-22), p. 1-8
Abstract:
Objective: Official data on Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) show a low prevalence. This study assessed the seroprevalence of antibodies against the severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the two main markets of Goma city, in the eastern DRC. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in 454 sellers in Kituku and Virunga markets between September 1st and November 08th, 2021. Participants were asked to answer a questionnaire survey on COVID-19 symptoms and their attitudes against COVID-19, including whether they had been vaccinated against COVID-19. Presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in blood samples was investigated using QuickZen®. Results: The median (minimum-maximum) age of participants was 27.4 years (13.4-88.3). Participants aged 15 to 40 years old made up 80.6 % of the participants enrolled in the study (n=454), with women accounting for 65.1 % of all participants. No participant in the study had been vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. The overall crude and adjusted seroprevalence rates of antibodies anti-SARS-CoV-2 were 73.8 % (95 % CI 69.7-77.9) and 82.7 % (95 % CI 79.2 % -86.2 %), respectively. COVID-19 symptoms were absent for 43,1% (n = 332) of the participants with anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. During the same period, none of the participants with anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies required hospitalization. Conclusion: We discovered a high seroprevalence of anti-SARS-Cov-2 antibodies in the sellers at the two main Goma markets without any record of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. No severe COVID-19 symptoms were reported among participants.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2456-8899
DOI:
10.9734/jammr/2023/v35i64973
Language:
Unknown
Publisher:
Sciencedomain International
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
3166828-8
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