Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 ) IgG-antibody seroprevalence among quarantined population, during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic, In North West Ethiopia (from 30 April to 30 May 2020)

Abstract

Objective: The spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Ethiopia is below par understood and to date has been poorly characterized by a lower number of confirmed cases and deaths as compared with other regions of the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. We aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies, using the Abbott anti-nucleocapsid IgG chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay, in two COVID-19 diagnosed and treatment centers of quarantined population during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (since 30 April–30 May 2020). Methods: We analyzed data of 446 quarantined individuals during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. The data were collected using both interviewed and blood sample collection. Participants asked about demographic characteristics, COVID-19 infection symptoms, and its practice of preventive measures. Seroprevalence was determined using the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 IgG test. Results: The mean (± standard deviation) age of the respondent was 37.5 (±18.5) years. The estimated SARS-CoV-2 infection seroprevalence was found 4.7% (95% confidence interval: 3.1–6.2) with no significant difference on age and gender of participants. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antibody seroprevalence was significantly associated with individuals who have been worked by moving from home to work area (adjusted odds ratio = 7.8, 95% confidence interval: 4.2–14.3, p < 0.019), not wearing masks (adjusted odds ratio = 2.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.9–3.8, p < 0.02), and baseline comorbidity (adjusted odds ratio = 6.3, 95% confidence interval: 2.3–17.1, p < 0.01) as compared to their counter groups, respectively. Conclusion: Our study concluded that lower coronavirus disease 2019 seroprevalence, yet the large population in the community to be infected and insignificant proportion of seroprevalence, was observed between age and sex of respondents. Protective measures like contact tracing, face covering, and social distancing are therefore vital to demote the risk of community—strengthening factors should be continued as effect modification of anticipation for severe course of coronavirus disease 2019.

Malaria serosurvey among acute febrile patients come for health care seeking at the high malaria-endemic setting of North West Ethiopia

“…Merkel zone is topographically located within 34° 10’N and 37° 40’E and latitude 09° 17’N and 12° 06’N and constituted by seven administrative district woreda with two primary and one-referral hospitals. 16 –22 According to the 2019 National Population Projection, this region has an estimated 1.3 million inhabitants, both urban and rural. This state has diverse topographic climates including familiar traditional zones of “kola,” “dega,” and “woman dega.” 16 –24 Pawe is one of the seven district woreda in Metekel Zone and more than 75% landmass malarious and is classified as “kola,” which is below 1500 m above sea level.…”

“…16 –22 According to the 2019 National Population Projection, this region has an estimated 1.3 million inhabitants, both urban and rural. This state has diverse topographic climates including familiar traditional zones of “kola,” “dega,” and “woman dega.” 16 –24 Pawe is one of the seven district woreda in Metekel Zone and more than 75% landmass malarious and is classified as “kola,” which is below 1500 m above sea level. This serosurvey was conducted in Pawe woreda; patients come for treatment at Felege Selam Health Center.…”

“…Merkel zone is topographically located within 34° 10'N and 37° 40'E and latitude 09° 17'N and 12° 06'N and constituted by seven administrative district woreda with two primary and one-referral hospitals. [16][17][18][19][20][21][22] According to the 2019 National Population Projection, this region has an estimated 1.3 million inhabitants, both urban and rural. This state has diverse topographic climates including familiar traditional zones of "kola," "dega," and "woman dega."…”

“…This state has diverse topographic climates including familiar traditional zones of "kola," "dega," and "woman dega." [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] Pawe is one of the seven district woreda in Metekel Zone and more than 75% landmass malarious and is classified as "kola," which is below 1500 m above sea level. This serosurvey was conducted in Pawe woreda; patients come for treatment at Felege Selam Health Center.…”

Polymerase chain reaction‐positivity and predictors for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection among diagnosed cases' in North West Ethiopia

“…There are two peaks of kurtosis of the epidemic; the first wave was from August to September 2020, and the second wave occurred from February to March 2022 2 . The overall new incidence of the new variant of Omicron variants was more than 50% rocketed in resource‐limited African countries including Ethiopia 11 . In fact, out of 3,574,218 total suspected and tested cases since the first COVID‐19 case was reported, 493,000 cases were confirmed and 7571 deaths, as of August 10, 2022, were reported 7,8 .…”