The transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, has been documented worldwide. However, the evidence of the extent to which transmission has occurred in different countries is still to be established. Understanding the magnitude and distribution of SARS-CoV-2 through seroprevalence studies is important in designing control and preventive strategies in communities. This study investigated the seropositivity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus antibodies in the communities of three different districts in the Mwanza region, Tanzania. A household cross-sectional survey was conducted in September 2021 using the modified African Centre for Disease and Prevention (ACDC) survey protocol. A blood sample was obtained from one member of each of the selected households who consented to take part in the survey. Immunochromatographic rapid test kits were used to detect IgM and IgG SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, followed by descriptive data analysis. Overall, 805 participants were enrolled in the study with a median age of 35 (interquartile range (IQR):27–47) years. The overall SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was 50.4% (95%CI: 46.9–53.8%). The IgG and IgM seropositivity of the SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 49.3% and 7.2%, respectively, with 6.1% being both IgG and IgM seropositive. A history of runny nose (aOR: 1.84, 95%CI: 1.03–3.5, p = 0.036), loss of taste (aOR: 1.84, 95%CI: 1.12–4.48, p = 0.023), and living in Ukerewe (aOR: 3.55, 95%CI: 1.68–7.47, p = 0.001) and Magu (aOR: 2.89, 95%CI: 1.34–6.25, p= 0.007) were all independently associated with SARS-CoV-2 IgM seropositivity. Out of the studied factors, living in the Ukerewe district was independently associated with IgG seropositivity (aOR 1.29, CI 1.08–1.54, p = 0.004). Twenty months after the first case of COVID-19 in Tanzania, about half of the studied population in Mwanza was seropositive for SARS-CoV-2.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Despite the fact that it affects all ages and profiles, some evidence shows that patients with comorbidities, including diabetes, obesity, and hypertension, are likely to be most affected. For chronic diseases, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), information is scarce, with a few studies from high-income countries. This study reports predictors of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity (IgG + IgM) among unvaccinated people living with HIV attending Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania. Methodology: A cross-sectional, hospital-based study involving 150 HIV-infected patients was conducted at Bugando Medical Centre between June and July 2022. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect the participants’ information. Blood samples were collected and used for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 (IgM/IgG) antibodies by immunochromatographic assay. Data were analyzed using STATA version 15. Results: The mean age of the enrolled participants was 46.4 ± 11.1 years. The overall seropositivity (IgG + IgM) of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 79/150 (52.7%) [95% CI: 44.4–60.9]. Seropositivity of IgM only was 8/150 (5.3) [95% CI: 1.7–8.8], while that of IgG only was 61/150 (40.6%) [95% CI: 32.7–48.4]. Seropositivity of both IgG and IgM was observed in 10/150 (6.7%) patients. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, history of sore throat (OR: 6.34, 95% CI: 2.305–18.351, p < 0.001), low CD4 count (OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.995–0.999, p = 0.004), and use of pit latrines (OR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.122–4.738, p = 0.023) were independently associated with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. Conclusion: HIV-infected individuals with history of sore throat, low CD4 count, and use of pit latrines were more likely to be SARS-CoV-2 IgG seropositive. There is a need to routinely screen for SARS-CoV-2 infection among HIV-infected individuals to obtain comprehensive data regarding the interactions of the pathogens.