Seroprevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies and associated risk factors during the second wave of infection in a university community in Cameroon

Abstract Background The COVID‐19 pandemic has caused a public health emergency in all sectors of society, including universities and other academic institutions in Cameroon. However, little is known concerning the real prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infect...

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Published in:	Influenza and other respiratory viruses 2023-11, Vol.17 (11), p.e13222-e13222
Main Authors:	Essomba, René Ghislain, Bayibeki, Albert Ngano, Lissom, Abel, Ateba, Pulchérie Thérèse, Seni, Nassif, Fouda, Claude Ariane Nlozoa, Mbitock, Solange Berthe Diwandja, Ebonda, Normand David, Afana, Sylvie Delphine, Akame, Siméon, Tembu, Adelphe Anyang, Ngamaleu, Modeste Romuald, Bimai, Bernard Christel Bihonba, Kabo, Ousmane, Nguwoh, Philipe Salomon, Ngounouh, Christian Taheu, Meka, Moise Christian Junior, Kengne, Michel, Likeng, Julienne‐Louise Ngo, Kimessoukie, Etienne Omolomo, Nkoum, Benjamin Alexandre, Assoumou, Marie Claire Okomo, Fokam, Joseph, Yap Boum, I. I., Ambomo, Myriam Sylvie, Chadou, Michael Junior Piameu
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Age groups Antibodies Asymptomatic Biology College campuses Colleges & universities Coronaviruses COVID-19 Diagnostic systems Diagnostic tests Disease transmission Epidemics Health sciences Immunoglobulin G Immunoglobulin M Infections Males Medical research Nursing Original Pandemics Population Public health Respiratory diseases Risk factors Schools Serology Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Social networks Students Undergraduate study University students Viral diseases Viruses
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Summary:	Abstract Background The COVID‐19 pandemic has caused a public health emergency in all sectors of society, including universities and other academic institutions in Cameroon. However, little is known concerning the real prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infections among student communities during the second wave of infection in Cameroon. This study aimed to estimate SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies seroprevalence among participants in a university community in Cameroon. Methodology A cross‐sectional study was conducted from March to April 2021 in 547 students aged ≥18 years during a mass diagnostic campaign at the School of Health Sciences of the Catholic University of Central Africa (ESS/UCAC). The anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody screening was done using the Panbio™ COVID‐19 IgG/IgM Rapid Diagnostic Test. Results The overall seroprevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies was 27%, of which 89.9% ( n = 133) was IgG, 6.7% ( n = 10) IgM and 3.4% ( n = 5) IgG/IgM positive. The undergraduate students represented 79% (432/547) of the total population and were highly positive with anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies 30% (130/432) as compared with postgraduate students 20% (23/115). The total antibody seropositivity was higher in males (34.4%) than females (24.9%). Several factors were associated with an increased risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 seroprevalence including the male gender (OR: 1.61 [95% confidence interval, CI 1.0–2.4]), specialization to medical laboratory (OR: 2.8 [95% CI 1.1–7.1]) and nursing sciences (OR: 2.6 [95% CI 1.1–6.2]). Conclusion Our findings point to extensive and underreported circulation of SARS‐CoV‐2 in a university community during the second wave of infection in Cameroon, which likely resulted in artificially low case counts.
ISSN:	1750-2640 1750-2659