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. 2024 Jan 20:10:179-182.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.01.007. eCollection 2024 Mar.

Pre-vaccination seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the Volta Region, Ghana

Enoch Aninagyei  1 , Reuben Ayivor-Djanie  1   2 , Jones Gyamfi  3   4 , Marfo Edward Aboagye  1 , Grace Semabia Kpeli  1 , William Kwabena Ampofo  5 , John Owusu Gyapong  6 , Kwabena Obeng Duedu  1   7
Affiliations

Pre-vaccination seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the Volta Region, Ghana

Enoch Aninagyei et al. IJID Reg. .

Abstract

Objectives: Before administration of the first dose of the AstraZeneca 2019 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine to selected prioritized groups in the Volta regional capital of Ghana, we determined the pre-vaccination status of prospective recipients and established the baseline exposure status 1 year after the first case was reported.

Methods: After informed consent, blood samples were collected for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin (Ig) M/IgG antibodies using rapid diagnostic test kits. A total of 409 individuals (mean age 27 years) consented and participated in the study, comprising 70% students and others were health staff and educators who presented themselves for vaccination.

Results: The overall exposure rate of SARS-CoV-2 was 12.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 9.6-16.3). The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG were 4.2% (95% CI 2.4-6.6) and 5.6% (95% CI 3.6-8.3), respectively. IgM and IgG were detected in 2.9% (95% CI 1.5-5.1) of the respondents. The exposure rates were higher in participants over 40 years old (15.5%). Participants without a history of COVID-19-like symptoms had an exposure rate of 13.0% and those without any chronic diseases was 13.2%.

Conclusion: Pre-vaccination exposure was relatively low and underscored the need for vaccination i to increase protection in communities and disease outcomes.

Keywords: COVID-19; Exposure; Pandemic; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccination.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no competing interest to declare.

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