Conference abstract
Seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 and associated factors among pregnant women in selected health facilities in Mwanza, Tanzania
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2024:21(57).29
Apr 2024.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2024.21.57.2387
Archived on: 29 Apr 2024
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2, seroprevalence, pregnant women
Oral presentation
Seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 and associated factors among pregnant women in selected health facilities in Mwanza, Tanzania
Roda James1,&, Elieza Chibwe1, Helmut Nyawale1, Vitus Silago1, Richardi Kiritta1, Stephen E. Mshana1, Mariam M. Mirambo1
1Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
&Corresponding author
Introduction: it was estimated that about 200 million cases and 4.3 million deaths were reported globally due to the Coronavirus disease -19 (COVID-19) pandemic. The seroprevalence ranged from 14.2% to 15.4% globally in the general population 6% in Kenya to 8.9% in Italy among pregnant women. The study aims to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and its associated factors among pregnant women in selected health facilities in Mwanza, Tanzania.
Methods: a hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 192 consented pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at Makongoro, Igoma, Karume, and Sengerema health centers, in the Mwanza region was conducted from July to November 2022. Data were collected by using a structured questionnaire and the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was done by using rapid immunochromatographic tests as per manufacturer’s instruction. Data analysis was done by using STATA version 15.
Results: a total of 192 pregnant women in their different trimesters were enrolled in this study with a mean age of 25.4 (SD, ± 5.4) years and a mean gestation age of 25.63 (SD, ± 8.34) weeks. The overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among pregnant women was 139 (72.4%, 95% CI: 65-78%). The seroprevalence of IgG was 136 (70.8%) and for both IgG and IgM was 3(1.6%). However, none of them tested positive for IgM antibodies. High education level (P=0.029) and advanced gestation age (P= 0.029) were independently associated with SARS-CoV- 2 seropositivity in the multivariate analysis.
Conclusion: majority of pregnant women in selected districts were previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 and have been associated with high education level and advanced gestation age. The Ministry of Health should scale up preventive measures, implementation of vaccination programs and screening activities to protect this vulnerable group.
Seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 and associated factors among pregnant women in selected health facilities in Mwanza, Tanzania
Roda James1,&, Elieza Chibwe1, Helmut Nyawale1, Vitus Silago1, Richardi Kiritta1, Stephen E. Mshana1, Mariam M. Mirambo1
1Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
&Corresponding author
Introduction: it was estimated that about 200 million cases and 4.3 million deaths were reported globally due to the Coronavirus disease -19 (COVID-19) pandemic. The seroprevalence ranged from 14.2% to 15.4% globally in the general population 6% in Kenya to 8.9% in Italy among pregnant women. The study aims to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and its associated factors among pregnant women in selected health facilities in Mwanza, Tanzania.
Methods: a hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 192 consented pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at Makongoro, Igoma, Karume, and Sengerema health centers, in the Mwanza region was conducted from July to November 2022. Data were collected by using a structured questionnaire and the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was done by using rapid immunochromatographic tests as per manufacturer’s instruction. Data analysis was done by using STATA version 15.
Results: a total of 192 pregnant women in their different trimesters were enrolled in this study with a mean age of 25.4 (SD, ± 5.4) years and a mean gestation age of 25.63 (SD, ± 8.34) weeks. The overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among pregnant women was 139 (72.4%, 95% CI: 65-78%). The seroprevalence of IgG was 136 (70.8%) and for both IgG and IgM was 3(1.6%). However, none of them tested positive for IgM antibodies. High education level (P=0.029) and advanced gestation age (P= 0.029) were independently associated with SARS-CoV- 2 seropositivity in the multivariate analysis.
Conclusion: majority of pregnant women in selected districts were previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 and have been associated with high education level and advanced gestation age. The Ministry of Health should scale up preventive measures, implementation of vaccination programs and screening activities to protect this vulnerable group.
