High Seroprevalence of Sars-CoV-2 in Mwanza, Northwestern Tanzania

A Population-Based Survey

Bibliographic Data

ID15495951
AuthorsHelmut Nyawale (0000-0001-6916-6859, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, corresponding author), Helmut A Nyawale (Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences), Nyambura Moremi (0000-0002-5303-1156, National Public Health Laboratory), Mohamed Mohamed (0000-0002-2447-5639, East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community), Johnson Njwalila (Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences), Vitus Silago (0000-0002-4178-3254, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences), Manuel Krone (0000-0002-1020-6454, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg), Eveline T Konje (0000-0001-6876-3483, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences), Mariam M Mirambo (0000-0003-2313-3079, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences), Stephen E Mshana (0000-0002-7526-6271, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences)
Year2022
Volume19
Issue18
Pages11664-11664
Publication date2022-09-16
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph191811664
OpenAlexW4296450024
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited18

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

Antibody · Cross-sectional study · Environmental health · Geography · Interquartile range · Population · Serology · Seroprevalence · Tanzania · Transmission (telecommunications · COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies · Medicine · SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research · SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing · Immunology · Internal Medicine