Post-Omicron SARS-CoV-2 serostatus in Sierra Leone: A cross-sectional study in a maternity hospital setting in Freetown, November/December 2022.

Autor:	Ruf S; Institute of International Health, Charité- Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Humboldt University and Freie Universität Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany., Harding D; Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone., Sorie S; Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone., Janneh FM; Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone; Princess Christian Maternity Hospital, Freetown, Sierra Leone., Theuring S; Institute of International Health, Charité- Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Humboldt University and Freie Universität Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: stefanie.theuring@charite.de.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	Journal of infection and public health [J Infect Public Health] 2024 Sep; Vol. 17 (9), pp. 102518. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Aug 12.
DOI:	10.1016/j.jiph.2024.102518
Abstrakt:	Background: Spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Sub-Saharan African countries has been poorly investigated, especially in the later pandemic stages. We aimed to assess the post-Omicron situation in Sierra Leone in November/December 2022 considering SARS-CoV-2 serostatus, vaccinations, and behavioral factors. Methods: In a cross-sectional study conducted in a maternity hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone, both patients and staff provided dried blood spot samples for analysis of anti-S and anti-N IgG prevalence using Anti-SARS-CoV-2-ELISA. Additionally, we collected sociodemographic and infection-related information through questionnaires. Outcome parameters included seropositivity, infection-related seroprevalence, and self-reported vaccination status. We used logistic regression to identify associations with prior infection and with vaccination status. Results: Out of 791 participants (389 patients, 402 staff), 670 (84.7 %) displayed a positive SARS-CoV-2 serostatus resulting from either infection or vaccination. Among a sub-sample of 514 participants within which determination of prior natural infection was possible, 441individuals (85.8 %) were affected. Prior infection was associated with female sex and tertiary education level. Overall, 60.3 % reported having been vaccinated. Staff as opposed to patients, and individuals with higher socioeconomic status were more likely to report vaccination. Individuals who assessed their risk of COVID-19 as either higher or lower compared to a medium-level risk were more likely to have contracted the virus and less likely to have received vaccination. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that since the Omicron wave in 2022, the Sierra Leonean population has almost universally been exposed to SARS-CoV-2. While this is encouraging in the light of relatively low excess mortality in the country, future investigations on the long-term effect of high viral exposure on epidemic resilience and public health impact will be crucial. Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no competing financial or non-financial interests to disclose. (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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