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Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the general population of Oman: results from four successive nationwide sero-epidemiological surveys

Authors :
Seif Salem Al-Abri
Adil Al-Wahaibi
Hanan Al-Kindi
Padmamohan J Kurup
Ali Al-Maqbali
Zayid Al-Mayahi
Mohammed Hamed Al-Tobi
Salim Habbash Al-Katheri
Sultan Albusaidi
Mahmood Humaid Al-Sukaiti
Ahmed Yar Mohammed Al Balushi
Iyad Omer Abdelgadir
Nawal Al-Shehi
Essam Morkos
Amal Al-Maani
Bader Al-Rawahi
Fatma Alyaquobi
Abdullah Alqayoudhi
Khalid Al-Harthy
Sulien Al-Khalili
Azza Al-Rashdi
Intisar Al-Shukri
Thamra S. Al Ghafri
Fatma Al-Hashmi
Saeed Mussalam Al Jassasi
Nasser Alshaqsi
Nilanjan Mitra
Humaid Suhail Al Aamry
Parag Shah
Hanan Hassan Al Marbouai
Amany Hamed Al Araimi
Ismail Mohammed Kair
Asim Mohammed Al Manji
Ahmed Said Almallak
Fatma Khamis Al Alawi
Vidyanand Vaidya
Muhammad Muqeetullah
Hanan Alrashdi
Saud Said Nassir Al Jamoudi
Asila Alshaqsi
Abdullah Al Sharji
Hamida Al Shukeiri
Badr Al-Abri
Sulaiman Al-Rawahi
Said H. Al-Lamki
Abdulla Al-Manji
Amina Al-Jardani
Source :
International Journal of Infectious Diseases, Vol 112, Iss , Pp 269-277 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
Elsevier, 2021.

Abstract

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.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
12019712
Volume :
112
Issue :
269-277
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.459e5994f6524158ac249f9e19120aaa
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2021.09.062