1. SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence among homeless people and shelter workers in Denmark: a nationwide cross-sectional study
- Author
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Alexandra R Röthlin Eriksen, Kamille Fogh, Rasmus B. Hasselbalch, Henning Bundgaard, Susanne D. Nielsen, Charlotte S. Jørgensen, Bibi F. S. S. Scharff, Christian Erikstrup, Susanne G. Sækmose, Dorte K. Holm, Bitten Aagaard, Jonas H. Kristensen, Cecilie A. Bødker, Jakob B. Norsk, Pernille B. Nielsen, Lars Østergaard, Svend Ellermann-Eriksen, Berit Andersen, Henrik Nielsen, Isik S. Johansen, Lothar Wiese, Lone Simonsen, Thea K.Fischer, Fredrik Folke, Freddy Lippert, Sisse R. Ostrowski, Steen Ethelberg, Anders Koch, Anne-Marie Vangsted, Tyra Krause, Anders Fomsgaard, Claus Nielsen, Henrik Ullum, Robert Skov, and Kasper Iversen
- Subjects
Public aspects of medicine ,RA1-1270 - Abstract
Abstract Background People experiencing homelessness (PEH) and associated shelter workers may be at higher risk of infection with “Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2” (SARS-CoV-2). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among PEH and shelter workers in Denmark. Design and methods In November 2020, we conducted a nationwide cross-sectional seroprevalence study among PEH and shelter workers at 21 recruitment sites in Denmark. The assessment included a point-of-care test for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, followed by a questionnaire. The seroprevalence was compared to that of geographically matched blood donors considered as a proxy for the background population, tested using a total Ig ELISA assay. Results We included 827 participants in the study, of whom 819 provided their SARS-CoV-2 antibody results. Of those, 628 were PEH (median age 50.8 (IQR 40.9–59.1) years, 35.5% female) and 191 were shelter workers (median age 46.6 (IQR 36.1–55.0) years and 74.5% female). The overall seroprevalence was 6.7% and was similar among PEH and shelter workers (6.8% vs 6.3%, p = 0.87); and 12.2% among all participants who engaged in sex work. The overall participant seroprevalence was significantly higher than that of the background population (2.9%, p
- Published
- 2022
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