Ramadani N, Hoxha‐Gashi S, Gexha‐Bunjaku D, Kalaveshi A, Jakupi X, Humolli I, Vaughan A, Pebody R, Kacaniku‐Gunga P, Jashari V. Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Kosovo-Wide Population-Based Seroepidemiological Study.
Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2024;
18:e70004. [PMID:
39225019 PMCID:
PMC11369638 DOI:
10.1111/irv.70004]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 07/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Seroprevalence studies have proven to be an important tool in tracking the progression of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study was to measure the seroprevalence of antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the general population of Kosovo by gender, age group and region and among asymptomatic people.
METHOD
The Institute of Public Health of Kosovo conducted a cross-sectional population-based survey, aligned with the protocols of the WHO Unity Studies, from the beginning of May to the end of June 2021.
RESULTS
The survey covered a total of 2204 people with a response rate of 91.8% (41.9% [923] males and 51.2% [1281] females). In May to June 2021, the prevalence of antibodies in the overall population (IgG antibodies ≥ 1.1) was 37.0%. Seroprevalence was 34.4% in men and 38.9% in women (p < 0.05), with the highest percentage (48.7%) found in the 60-69 years' age group. The overall prevalence of acute IgM antibodies (IgM ≥ 1.1) was 1% (95% CI: 0.7%-1.5%), with no significant difference between genders and the highest prevalence among participants of 60-69 years of age (1.6%; 95% CI: 0.7%-3.6%).
CONCLUSION
A high prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was found in Kosovo before the start of the vaccination campaign. However, the results of the survey suggested that, by the end of June 2021, a desirable level of protection from the SARS-CoV-2 virus had not been reached.
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