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Background. Understanding COVID-19 dynamics in Colombia during the first pandemic year (2020) gives important insights surrounding population’s exposure risk and specific susceptibilities. Seroprevalence studies can aid in having a broader understanding of the disease, offering a more inclusive view of the pandemic’s impact across the population. Methods. A population-based cross-sectional study to assess antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in 10 Colombian cities was developed between September and December 2020. Cities were grouped according development typology (Robust (RD), Intermediate (ID) and Incipient (InD)). Detection of total antibodies (IgM + IgG) against SARS-CoV-2 was employed. Univariate Odds Ratios (OR) were estimated for antibody results and selected variables. Results. About 3124 children aged between 5 and 17 years were included. Factors related to lower seropositive results were affiliation to the employer-based health insurance in RD and ID cities (OR: 0.579, 95% CI 0.477-0.703, OR: 0.648, 95%CI 0.480-0.874 respectively) and living in a household with adequate access to public services only for ID cities (OR: 0.679. 95% CI 0.491-0.939). Higher seropositivity rates in RD and ID cities were seen in children belonging to the low socioeconomic stratum (RD: OR: 1.758, 95% CI 1.427-2.165; ID: OR: 2.288, 95% CI 1.599-3.275) and living in an overcrowded household (RD: OR: 1.846, 95% CI 1.467-2.323; ID: OR: 2.379, 95% CI 1.769-3.199). Conclusions. Children and adolescents showed substantial impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. Disadvantageous living conditions were found to be significantly related to having a positive SARS-CoV-2 antibody test. These results highlight the need to prioritize vulnerable populations in the context of health emergencies.

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with Chagas disease in pregnant women in an endemic area of Santander, Colombia.MethodsCross‐sectional study included 23 municipalities of Santander, Colombia. Serological IFAT and ELISA tests were undertaken to detect IgG anti‐ Trypanosoma cruzi. A questionnaire was conducted for assessing the risk factors of each participant. Newborns were evaluated at birth and followed up to 1 year of age to determine congenital infection.ResultsAn overall prevalence of 3.2% (95% CI 2.4–4.2) among 1518 pregnant women was detected. Prevalences by provinces were as follows: Guanentina: 6.0% (95% CI 4.1–8.5), García Rovira: 2.9% (95% CI: 1.5–4.8) and Comunera: 0.4% (0.4–2.3). The main risk factors identified were age >32 years old (OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.1–3.9); currently having a thatched roof (OR: 11.8; CI95% 2.2–63.2) and a thatched roof during childhood (OR: 3.0; 95% CI: 1.4–6.6); having below primary school education level (OR: 4.6; 95% CI: 2.2–9.5); and a history of a close contact with the vector (triatomine bugs) at least once during their lifetime (OR: 6.9; 95% CI: 3.7–12.9). No congenital cases were detected by parasitological or serological techniques.ConclusionsPrevalence of Chagas disease in pregnant women is a potential source of infection in this Colombian endemic area. The main risk factors associated with seropositivity were related to conditions favouring the contact with the vector. The results show that it is necessary to continue an active surveillance in order to offer diagnosis and treatment to mothers and their newborns in addition to screening to pregnant women from endemic areas.

Objetivo. Determinar la seroprevalencia de la enfermedad de Chagas en población general procedente de tres departamentos de la Amazonía colombiana: Vaupés, Amazonas y Guaviare y analizar variables de riesgo para la enfermedad. Métodos. Para determinar la seropositividad se analizaron 3429 muestras de suero obtenidas mediante previo consentimiento informado durante los años 2009 y 2010 a través de un muestreo probabilístico, de conglomerados, estratificado y trietápico para cada departamento, con probabilidades finales desiguales. Fueron analizadas en el Laboratorio de Parasitología del Instituto Nacional de Salud de Bogotá mediante dos técnicas de diagnóstico, Inmunoensayo enzimático (Elisa) e Inmunofluorescencia indirecta (IFI) empleando como antígeno una cepa de Trypanosoma cruzi colombiana previamente caracterizada como linaje TcI. Resultados. Se encontró una seroprevalencia general de 0,99%, 2,07% para el departamento del Guaviare, 0,79% para el departamento de Vaupés y 0,09% para el departamento de Amazonas. Estos resultados permitirán establecer una línea de base epidemiológica que contribuya a las estrategias de control de la enfermedad en esta zona.Palabras clave: Seroprevalencia, Chagas, Amazonia, Trypanosoma cruzi AbstractObjective. To estimate the prevalence of Chagas disease in population from Vaupés, Amazonas and Guaviare, three departments of the Colombian amazon. Risk factors were also assessed. Methods. For estimating seroprevalence, 3429 serum samples were taken according to a threestage conglomerate sampling for each department. Those samples were analyzed in the Parasitology Laboratory of the National Health Institute (INS), through ELISA and IFAT techniques. Results. The prevalence for Amazonas, Guaviare and Vaupés departments was 0,09%, 2,07% and 0,79%, respectively. Those results will allow health policy makers towards prevention of Chagas disease.