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. 2021 Nov:112:269-277.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.09.062. Epub 2021 Sep 30.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the general population of Oman: results from four successive nationwide sero-epidemiological surveys

Seif Salem Al-Abri  1 , Adil Al-Wahaibi  2 , Hanan Al-Kindi  3 , Padmamohan J Kurup  4 , Ali Al-Maqbali  5 , Zayid Al-Mayahi  6 , Mohammed Hamed Al-Tobi  7 , Salim Habbash Al-Katheri  8 , Sultan Albusaidi  9 , Mahmood Humaid Al-Sukaiti  10 , Ahmed Yar Mohammed Al Balushi  11 , Iyad Omer Abdelgadir  12 , Nawal Al-Shehi  13 , Essam Morkos  14 , Amal Al-Maani  2 , Bader Al-Rawahi  2 , Fatma Alyaquobi  2 , Abdullah Alqayoudhi  2 , Khalid Al-Harthy  2 , Sulien Al-Khalili  2 , Azza Al-Rashdi  3 , Intisar Al-Shukri  3 , Thamra S Al Ghafri  15 , Fatma Al-Hashmi  5 , Saeed Mussalam Al Jassasi  10 , Nasser Alshaqsi  6 , Nilanjan Mitra  13 , Humaid Suhail Al Aamry  7 , Parag Shah  9 , Hanan Hassan Al Marbouai  11 , Amany Hamed Al Araimi  12 , Ismail Mohammed Kair  8 , Asim Mohammed Al Manji  4 , Ahmed Said Almallak  8 , Fatma Khamis Al Alawi  12 , Vidyanand Vaidya  5 , Muhammad Muqeetullah  11 , Hanan Alrashdi  9 , Saud Said Nassir Al Jamoudi  7 , Asila Alshaqsi  6 , Abdullah Al Sharji  4 , Hamida Al Shukeiri  4 , Badr Al-Abri  2 , Sulaiman Al-Rawahi  16 , Said H Al-Lamki  17 , Abdulla Al-Manji  2 , Amina Al-Jardani  3
Affiliations

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the general population of Oman: results from four successive nationwide sero-epidemiological surveys

Seif Salem Al-Abri et al. Int J Infect Dis. 2021 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Oman and longitudinal changes in antibody levels over time within the first 11 months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: This nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted as a four-cycle serosurvey using a multi-stage stratified sampling method from July to November 2020. A questionnaire was used and included demographics, history of acute respiratory infection and list of symptoms, COVID-19 contact, previous diagnosis or admission, travel history and risk factors.

Results: In total, 17,457 participants were surveyed. Thirty percent were female and 66.3% were Omani. There was a significant increase in seroprevalence throughout the study cycles, from 5.5% (4.8-6.2%) in Cycle 1 to 22% (19.6-24.6%) in Cycle 4. There was no difference in seroprevalence between genders, but significant differences were found between age groups. There was a transition of seroprevalence from being higher in non-Omanis than Omanis in Cycle 1 [9.1% (7.6-10.9%) vs 3.2% (2.6-3.9%)] to being higher in Omanis than non-Omanis in Cycle 4 [24.3% (21.0-27.9%) vs 16.8% (14.9-18.9%)]. There was remarkable variation in the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 according to governorate. Close contacts of people with COVID-19 had a 96% higher risk of having the disease [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.96, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.64-2.34]. Labourers had 58% higher risk of infection compared with office workers (AOR 1.58, 95% CI 1.04-2.35).

Conclusion: This study showed a wide variation in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 across governorates in Oman, with higher estimated seroprevalence in migrants in the first two cycles. Prevalence estimates remain low and are insufficient to provide herd immunity.

Keywords: Antibody seroprevalence; COVID-19; Herd immunity; Oman; Prevalence; SARS-CoV-2; Sero-epidemiological surveys; Serosurvey.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Serosurvey results by cycle, nationwide serosurvey, Oman, 12 July 2020–8 November 2020. PCR, polymerase chain reaction.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Serosurvey results by age group (A), sex (B) and nationality (C), nationwide serosurvey, Oman, 12 July 2020–8 November 2020. CI, confidence interval.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Serosurvey results by governorate and cycle, nationwide serosurvey, Oman, 12 July 2020–8 November 2020. Brm, Alburaimi; Dfr, Dhofar; Dhr, Dhahira; Dkhl, Dakhiliyah; Msct, Muscat; Msdm, Musandam; N. Btn, North Batinah; N. Shrq, North Sharqiyah; S. Btn, South Batinah; S. Shrq, South Sharqiyah; Wst, Alwusta; CI, confidence interval.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Cycle 4 serosurvey results by wilayat with geographical location, nationwide serosurvey, Oman, 12 July 2020–8 November 2020. COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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