PLoS ONE (Jan 2023)

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG among healthcare workers in Lagos, Nigeria.

  • Fehintola Anthonia Ige,
  • Gregory Aigbe Ohihoin,
  • Kazeem Osuolale,
  • Adedamola Dada,
  • Ngozi Onyia,
  • Adeyemi Johnson,
  • Azuka Patrick Okwuraiwe,
  • Omoladun Odediran,
  • Gideon Liboro,
  • Maureen Aniedobe,
  • Sunday Mogaji,
  • Stephanie Ogechi Nwaiwu,
  • Ibukun Ruth Akande,
  • Rosemary Ajuma Audu,
  • Babatunde Lawal Salako

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0292440
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 10
p. e0292440

Abstract

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Healthcare workers (HCWs) are disproportionately infected with SARS-CoV-2 when compared to members of the general public; estimating the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody and SARS-CoV-2 infection rate among HCWs is therefore crucial. This study was carried out in four health facilities in Lagos Nigeria to determine the prevalence of IgG antibodies (seroprevalence) and SARS-CoV-2 active infection rate via a positive rtPCR result, the cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2020 and July 2021. Nasopharyngeal and blood samples were collected from HCWs and screened for SARS-CoV-2 infection using the rtPCR technique and antibody using the Abbott anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG CMIA assay, respectively. Demographic and occupational exposures data were obtained and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, variables significant via inferential statistics were subjected to a multivariate analysis. A total of 413 participants were enrolled, with a mean age in years of 38.4±11.0. The seroprevalence was 30.9% (115/372) while 63/395 (15.9%) were actively infected with the virus. HCWs whose job role had direct contact with patients had a higher percentage of SARS-CoV-2 infection when compared with those not in direct contact, also being a health care worker was significantly associated with getting a positive COVID-19 PCR result. In conclusion the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence seen in this study was higher than national serosurvey estimates indicating HCWs are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection when compared to the general public. Vaccination and effective implementation of infection control measures are important to protect HCWs.