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. 2023 Nov 12;17(11):e13222.
doi: 10.1111/irv.13222. eCollection 2023 Nov.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and associated risk factors during the second wave of infection in a university community in Cameroon

René Ghislain Essomba  1   2   3   4 , Albert Ngano Bayibeki  3 , Abel Lissom  5 , Pulchérie Thérèse Ateba  3 , Nassif Seni  3 , Claude Ariane Nlozoa Fouda  3 , Solange Berthe Diwandja Mbitock  3 , Normand David Ebonda  3 , Sylvie Delphine Afana  3 , Siméon Akame  3 , Adelphe Anyang Tembu  3 , Modeste Romuald Ngamaleu  3 , Bernard Christel Bihonba Bimai  3 , Ousmane Kabo  3 , Philipe Salomon Nguwoh  1 , Christian Taheu Ngounouh  6 , Moise Christian Junior Meka  1 , Michel Kengne  3 , Julienne-Louise Ngo Likeng  3 , Etienne Omolomo Kimessoukie  3 , Benjamin Alexandre Nkoum  3 , Marie Claire Okomo Assoumou  1   2   6 , Joseph Fokam  6   7   8 , I I Yap Boum  2   9   6 , Myriam Sylvie Ambomo  3 , Michael Junior Piameu Chadou  3
Affiliations

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and associated risk factors during the second wave of infection in a university community in Cameroon

René Ghislain Essomba et al. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. .

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a public health emergency in all sectors of society, including universities and other academic institutions in Cameroon. However, little is known concerning the real prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections among student communities during the second wave of infection in Cameroon. This study aimed to estimate SARS-CoV-2 antibodies seroprevalence among participants in a university community in Cameroon.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2021 in 547 students aged ≥18 years during a mass diagnostic campaign at the School of Health Sciences of the Catholic University of Central Africa (ESS/UCAC). The anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody screening was done using the Panbio™ COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Diagnostic Test.

Results: The overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 27%, of which 89.9% (n = 133) was IgG, 6.7% (n = 10) IgM and 3.4% (n = 5) IgG/IgM positive. The undergraduate students represented 79% (432/547) of the total population and were highly positive with anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies 30% (130/432) as compared with postgraduate students 20% (23/115). The total antibody seropositivity was higher in males (34.4%) than females (24.9%). Several factors were associated with an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence including the male gender (OR: 1.61 [95% confidence interval, CI 1.0-2.4]), specialization to medical laboratory (OR: 2.8 [95% CI 1.1-7.1]) and nursing sciences (OR: 2.6 [95% CI 1.1-6.2]).

Conclusion: Our findings point to extensive and underreported circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in a university community during the second wave of infection in Cameroon, which likely resulted in artificially low case counts.

Keywords: COVID‐19; Cameroon; SARS‐CoV‐2; rapid diagnostic test; seroprevalence.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) IgG and IgM antibodies in the study population. (A) Global distribution of IgG and IgM antibodies in the population. (B) Distribution of SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM/IgG antibodies considering the training level of the students. (C) Geographic variation of the seroprevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM and IgM antibodies.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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