SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence at urban and rural sites in Kaduna State, Nigeria, during October/November 2021, immediately prior to detection of the Omicron variant

Chechet, Gloria D, Kwaga, Jacob KP, Yahaya, Joseph, Noyes, Harry ORCID: 0000-0002-0656-200X, MacLeod, Annette and Adamson, Walt E (2022) SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence at urban and rural sites in Kaduna State, Nigeria, during October/November 2021, immediately prior to detection of the Omicron variant. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY, 51 (5). pp. 1361-1370.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyac141

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Nigeria is Africa's most populated country. By November 2021 it had experienced three waves of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Peer-reviewed seroprevalence data assessing the proportion of the Nigerian population that have been infected were extremely limited.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted a serosurvey in one urban site (n = 400) and one rural site (n = 402) in Kaduna State, Nigeria between 11 October 2021 and 8 November 2021. Z-tests were used to compare seroprevalence across age groups, locations and sexes. T tests were used to determine whether age or household size are associated with seropositivity. Associations between seropositivity and recent history of common Covid-19 symptoms were tested using logistic regression.<h4>Results</h4>SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected in 42.5% an 53.5% of participants at the urban and rural sites, respectively The overall age- and sex- stratified seroprevalence was 43.7% (42.2% for unvaccinated individuals). The data indicate an infection rate in Kaduna State ≥359-fold the rate derived from polymerase chain reaction-confirmed cases. In the urban site, seroprevalence among females and participants aged <20 was lower than other groups. Reporting loss of sense of taste and/or smell was strongly associated with seropositive status. Associations with seropositivity were also found for the reporting of dry cough, fever, headache, nausea and sore throat.<h4>Conclusions</h4>This study provides baseline SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in Kaduna State, Nigeria, immediately prior to the spread of the Omicron variant. It indicates that in October/November 2021, approximately 56% of the population did not have detectable antibodies, and population subgroups with particularly low seroprevalence remain. It highlights limitations in using PCR-confirmed cases to estimate infection rates. The data will inform public health strategies in Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries with limited SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence data.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	SARS-CoV-2, Covid-19, seroprevalence, Kaduna, Nigeria
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	24 Jan 2023 15:22
Last Modified:	24 Jan 2023 15:22
DOI:	10.1093/ije/dyac141
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3167865