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. 2023 Jan 11;13(4):2255.
doi: 10.4081/jphia.2022.2255. eCollection 2022 Dec 31.

High seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the capital of Chad

Andrillene Laure Deutou Wondeu  1   2   3 , Fatima Abdelrazakh  4 , Mahamat Fayiz Abakar  4 , Fissou Henry Yandai  4 , Aleyo Zita Nodjikouambaye  1 , Djallaye Djimtoibaye  1 , Pidou Kimala  4 , Noel Nadjiadjim  5 , Nathan Naïbeï  6 , Guy Rodrigue Takoudjou Dzomo  1 , Sabrina Atturo  1 , Giulia Linardos  7 , Cristina Russo  7   8 , Carlo Federico Perno  8 , Ali Mahamat Moussa  5 , Allarangar Yokouide  5 , Hyppolite Kuekou Tchidjou  9 , Vittorio Colizzi  1   2   3 , Ouchemi Choua  5
Affiliations

High seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the capital of Chad

Andrillene Laure Deutou Wondeu et al. J Public Health Afr. .

Abstract

Background: Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chad has had 7,417 confirmed cases and 193 deaths, one of the lowest in Africa.

Objective: This study assessed SARS-CoV-2 immunity in N'Djamena.

Methods: In August-October 2021, eleven N'Djamena hospitals collected outpatient data and samples. IgG antibodies against SARSCoV- 2 nucleocapsid protein were identified using ELISA. "Bambino Gesù" Laboratory, Rome, Italy, performed external quality control with chemiluminescence assay.

Results: 25-34-year-old (35.2%) made up the largest age group at 31.9±12.6 years. 56.4% were women, 1.3 women/men. The 7 th district had 22.5% and the 1st 22.3%. Housewives and students dominated. Overall seroprevalence was 69.5% (95% CI: 67.7-71.3), females 68.2% (65.8-70.5) and males 71.2% (68.6-73.8). >44-year-old had 73.9% seroprevalence. Under-15s were 57.4% positive. Housewives (70.9%), civil servants (71.5%), and health workers (9.7%) had the highest antibody positivity. N'Djamena's 9 th district had 73.1% optimism and the 3rd district had 52.5%. Seroprevalences were highest at Good Samaritan Hospital (75.4%) and National General Referral Hospital (74.7%).

Conclusion: Our findings indicate a high circulation of SARSCoV- 2 in N'Djamena, despite low mortality and morbidity after the first two COVID-19 pandemic waves. This high seroprevalence must be considered in Chad's vaccine policy.

Keywords: Anti nucleocapsid antibodies; COVID-19; N’Djamena community; SARS-CoV-2; Seroprevalence.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
General characteristics of participants. (A) The age of the participants grouped by age range; The <15-year-olds were the least numerous, while the 25-34-year-olds were the most represented. (B) Districts organised into 10 circuits; this figure represents the frequency of participation in each district. (C) Socio-professional categories present in this study. (D) Symptoms related to COVTD-19 manifested by the participants in the months preceding data collection. (E) Frequency of blood group represents among the participants, 55.7% (1504) did not know their blood group. (F) Data collection site and samples, a total of 11 sites participated: Farcha provincial hospital and the military training hospital had the lowest participation rates. NRGH: National Referral General Hospital, GSH: Good Samaritan Hospital, MCH: Mother and Child Hospital, RH: Renaissance Hospital, CCH: Chad-China Hospital, NDAH: "Notre Dame des Apôtres" Hospital, FPH: Farcha Provincial Hospital, PH: Peace Hospital, KFH: King Faisal Hospital, TMH: Training Military Hospital, GH2: Guinebor II Hospital./
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