Interest of seroprevalence surveys for the epidemiological surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in African populations: Insights from the ARIACOV project in Benin.
Trop Med Int Health
; 28(7): 508-516, 2023 07.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37243412
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Many SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence surveys since the end of 2020 have disqualified the first misconception that Africa had been spared by the pandemic. Through the analysis of three SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence surveys carried out in Benin as part of the ARIACOV project, we argue that the integration of epidemiological serosurveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in the national surveillance packages would be of great use to refine the understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa.METHODS:
We carried out three repeated cross-sectional surveys in Benin two in Cotonou, the economic capital in March and May 2021, and one in Natitingou, a semi-rural city in the north of the country in August 2021. Total and weighted-by-age-group seroprevalences were estimated and the risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection were assessed by multivariate logistic regression.RESULTS:
In Cotonou, a slight increase in overall age-standardised SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence from 29.77% (95% CI 23.12%-37.41%) at the first survey to 34.86% (95% CI 31.57%-38.30%) at the second survey was observed. In Natitingou, the globally adjusted seroprevalence was 33.34% (95% CI 27.75%-39.44%). A trend of high risk for SARS-CoV 2 seropositivity was observed in adults over 40 versus the young (less than 18 years old) during the first survey in Cotonou but no longer in the second survey.CONCLUSIONS:
Our results show that, however, rapid organisation of preventive measures aimed at breaking the chains of transmission, they were ultimately unable to prevent a wide spread of the virus in the population. Routine serological surveillance on strategic sentinel sites and/or populations could constitute a cost-effective compromise to better anticipate the onset of new waves and define public health strategies.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
/
Screening_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
Africa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Trop Med Int Health
Assunto da revista:
MEDICINA TROPICAL
/
SAUDE PUBLICA
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Benim