COVID-19 seroprevalence in Pakistan: a cross-sectional study

Author:

Ahmad Ahsan M,Shahzad Khurram,Masood MariumnORCID,Umar Maida,Abbasi Fahad,Hafeez Assad

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study adapted WHO’s Unity Study’ protocol to estimate the population prevalence of antibodies to SARS CoV-2 and risk factors for developing SARS-CoV-2 infection.DesignThis population-based, age-stratified cross-sectional study was conducted at the level of households (HH).ParticipantsAll ages and genders were eligible for the study (exclusion criteria: contraindications to venipuncture- however, no such case was encountered). 4998 HH out of 6599 consented (1 individual per HH). The proportion of male and female study participants was similar.Primary and secondary outcome measuresFollowing were the measured outcome measures- these were different from the planned indicators (i.e. two out of the three planned indicators were measured) due to operational reasons and time constraints: -Primary indicators: Seroprevalence (population and age specific).Secondary indicators: Population groups most at risk for SARS-CoV-2-infection.ResultsOverall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 7.1%. 6.3% of individuals were IgG positive while IgM positivity was 1.9%. Seroprevalence in districts ranged from 0% (Ghotki) to 17% (Gilgit). The seroprevalence among different age groups ranged from 3.9% (0–9 years) to 10.1% (40–59 years). There were no significant differences in the overall seroprevalence for males and females. A history of contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, urban residence and mask use were key risk factors for developing SARS-CoV-2 infection.ConclusionsThis survey provides useful estimates for seroprevalence in the general population and information on risk factors for developing SARS-CoV-2 infection in the country. It is premised that similar studies need to be replicated at the population level on a regular basis to monitor the disease and immunity patterns related to COVID-19.

Funder

Health Services Academy, Islamabad, Pakistan

World Health Organization

Publisher

BMJ

Subject

General Medicine

Reference29 articles.

1. World Health Organization . WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 11 March 2020, 2020. Available: https://www.who.int/director-general/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19 [Accessed 22 December 2020].

2. Government of Pakistan . COVID-19 Dashboard 2020. Available: http://covid.gov.pk/stats/pakistan?locale=en [Accessed 22 December 2020].

3. World Health Organization . Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) technical guidance: the unity studies: early investigation protocols 2020. Available: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/early-investigations [Accessed 22 December 2020].

4. SeroTracker: a global SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence dashboard;Arora;Lancet Infect Dis,2021

5. SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence in the general population and high-risk occupational groups across 18 cities in Iran: a population-based cross-sectional study;Poustchi;Lancet Infect Dis,2021

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3