1. Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the general population of Oman: results from four successive nationwide sero-epidemiological surveys.
- Author
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Al-Abri SS, Al-Wahaibi A, Al-Kindi H, Kurup PJ, Al-Maqbali A, Al-Mayahi Z, Al-Tobi MH, Al-Katheri SH, Albusaidi S, Al-Sukaiti MH, Al Balushi AYM, Abdelgadir IO, Al-Shehi N, Morkos E, Al-Maani A, Al-Rawahi B, Alyaquobi F, Alqayoudhi A, Al-Harthy K, Al-Khalili S, Al-Rashdi A, Al-Shukri I, Al Ghafri TS, Al-Hashmi F, Al Jassasi SM, Alshaqsi N, Mitra N, Al Aamry HS, Shah P, Al Marbouai HH, Al Araimi AH, Kair IM, Al Manji AM, Almallak AS, Al Alawi FK, Vaidya V, Muqeetullah M, Alrashdi H, Al Jamoudi SSN, Alshaqsi A, Al Sharji A, Al Shukeiri H, Al-Abri B, Al-Rawahi S, Al-Lamki SH, Al-Manji A, and Al-Jardani A
- Subjects
- Antibodies, Viral, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Oman epidemiology, Seroepidemiologic Studies, Surveys and Questionnaires, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2
- 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., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement None declared., (Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2021
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