1
|
Nhacolo A, Magaço A, Amosse F, Hunguana A, Matsena T, Nhacolo A, Xerinda E, Bassat Q, Sacoor C, Mandomando I, Munguambe K. Perceptions and compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures in Southern and Central regions of Mozambique: A quantitative in-person household survey in the districts of Manhiça and Quelimane. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0278439. [PMID: 38743657 PMCID: PMC11093319 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted countries to swiftly implement rigorous preventive measures on a population-wide scale worldwide. However, in low-income countries like Mozambique this was difficult, coupled with a generalised lack of knowledge on how the population understood and complied with these measures. This study assessed community perceptions and implementation of anti-COVID-19 measures recommended by Mozambican authorities in Manhiça and Quelimane districts, including confinement, social distancing, frequent handwashing, mask wearing, and quarantine as the key practices to evaluate. We conducted a cross-sectional quantitative survey in October 2020 and February 2021, interviewing heads of households, face-to-face. The data collected included self-evaluation of compliance and existence of handwashing facilities and face-masks in the households, aided by observations. We present descriptive statistics on perceptions and compliance at individual and household levels. Out of the 770 participants, nearly all (98.7%) were aware of Coronavirus disease, including the term COVID-19 (89.2%). Knowledge varied between districts, with Manhiça participants showing higher levels of sufficient ability to define the disease. The symptoms most mentioned were dry cough (17.8%), fever (15.7%), flu-like symptoms (14.2%), breathing difficulties (13.6%), and headache (13.1%). Participants recognized various transmission modes, including touching infected objects and inhaling infected air. Preventive measures like handwashing with soap or sanitizing hands with alcohol, wearing masks, and social distancing were acknowledged, but the understanding varied. Compliance with these measures was generally low, with fewer than half of respondents reporting adherence to them. Only 30.4% of households had handwashing facilities (of which only 41.0% had water), and masks were often limited to one per person aged 6 years or more. Community members in Manhica and Quelimane were aware of COVID-19 but had limited understanding of what the preventive measures meant, and had lower levels of compliance. Understanding and addressing the factors affecting the proper implementation of these measures is crucial for improving community adherence in preventing infectious diseases with epidemic potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Nhacolo
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Amílcar Magaço
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Felizarda Amosse
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Aura Hunguana
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Teodimiro Matsena
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Arsénio Nhacolo
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Elisio Xerinda
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Quique Bassat
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys, Barcelona, Spain
- Pediatrics Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
| | - Charfudin Sacoor
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Inacio Mandomando
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- National Institute of Health, Ministry of Health, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Khátia Munguambe
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
- Faculty of Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Selvavinayagam TS, Somasundaram A, Selvam JM, Sampath P, Vijayalakshmi V, Kumar CAB, Subramaniam S, Kumarasamy P, Raju S, Avudaiselvi R, Prakash V, Yogananth N, Subramanian G, Roshini A, Dhiliban DN, Imad S, Tandel V, Parasa R, Sachdeva S, Ramachandran S, Malani A. Contribution of infection and vaccination to population-level seroprevalence through two COVID waves in Tamil Nadu, India. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2091. [PMID: 38267448 PMCID: PMC10808562 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50338-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
This study employs repeated, large panels of serological surveys to document rapid and substantial waning of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at the population level and to calculate the extent to which infection and vaccination separately contribute to seroprevalence estimates. Four rounds of serological surveys were conducted, spanning two COVID waves (October 2020 and April-May 2021), in Tamil Nadu (population 72 million) state in India. Each round included representative populations in each district of the state, totaling ≥ 20,000 persons per round. State-level seroprevalence was 31.5% in round 1 (October-November 2020), after India's first COVID wave. Seroprevalence fell to 22.9% in round 2 (April 2021), a roughly one-third decline in 6 months, consistent with dramatic waning of SARS-Cov-2 antibodies from natural infection. Seroprevalence rose to 67.1% by round 3 (June-July 2021), with infections from the Delta-variant induced second COVID wave accounting for 74% of the increase. Seroprevalence rose to 93.1% by round 4 (December 2021-January 2022), with vaccinations accounting for 63% of the increase. Antibodies also appear to wane after vaccination. Seroprevalence in urban areas was higher than in rural areas, but the gap shrunk over time (35.7 v. 25.7% in round 1, 89.8% v. 91.4% in round 4) as the epidemic spread even in low-density rural areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T S Selvavinayagam
- Directorate of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Jerard Maria Selvam
- Directorate of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - P Sampath
- Directorate of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - V Vijayalakshmi
- Directorate of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - C Ajith Brabhu Kumar
- Directorate of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Parthipan Kumarasamy
- Directorate of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - S Raju
- Directorate of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - R Avudaiselvi
- Directorate of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - V Prakash
- Directorate of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - N Yogananth
- Directorate of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Gurunathan Subramanian
- Directorate of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - A Roshini
- Directorate of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - D N Dhiliban
- Directorate of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sofia Imad
- Artha Global, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Asmar I, Almahmoud O, Yaseen K, Jamal J, Omar A, Naseef H, Hasan S. Assessment of immunoglobin G (spike and nucleocapsid protein) response to COVID-19 vaccination in Palestine. CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY AND GLOBAL HEALTH 2023; 22:101330. [PMID: 37293133 PMCID: PMC10239151 DOI: 10.1016/j.cegh.2023.101330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Many countries have begun immunization programs and established protocols to combat pandemics caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Six months after vaccination, the antibody titers produced by the immunization begin to decline, and individuals whose first immunization (either one or two doses) did not provide adequate protection may require a booster dose. Methods A quantitative cross-sectional survey of 18-year-olds and older was undertaken in the West Bank from June 15 to June 27, 2022. Each participant had 5 mL of blood drawn to be tested for IgG-S, IgG-N, and blood group. Results All participants had positive IgG-S results; IgG-S values ranged between 77 and 40,000 AU/ml, with a mean value of 1254 AU/ml. The value of IgG-N ranged from 0 to 139.3 U/ml for all participants, with a mean value of 22.4 U/ml. 64 (37.2%) of the participants demonstrated positive IgG-N screening results, with mean values of 51.2 U/ml. Female participants' mean IgG concentration was higher than male participants. Furthermore, the results revealed that smokers had lower levels of vaccine-induced antibodies than nonsmokers. High significance was found in the time from the last vaccine till the blood sample test (T = 3.848, P < .001), and the group between 6 and 9 months was found to have higher mean values than the 9-months group (M = 15952). Conclusions Participants vaccinated with a higher number of vaccines tend to have higher IgG-S. To elevate total antibodies, booster doses are essential. Additional researchers are needed to examine the positive correlation between IgG-S and IgG-N.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Imad Asmar
- Birzeit University, Palestine
- Department of Nursing, P. O. Box Birzeit 14, Palestine
| | - Omar Almahmoud
- Birzeit University, Palestine
- Department of Nursing, P. O. Box Birzeit 14, Palestine
| | - Khalid Yaseen
- Birzeit University, Palestine
- Department of Nursing, P. O. Box Birzeit 14, Palestine
| | - Jehad Jamal
- Birzeit University, Palestine
- Department of Nursing, P. O. Box Birzeit 14, Palestine
| | - Ahmad Omar
- Birzeit University, Palestine
- Department of Nursing, P. O. Box Birzeit 14, Palestine
| | - Hani Naseef
- Birzeit University, Palestine
- Pharmacy Department, P. O. Box Birzeit 14, Palestine
| | - Shadi Hasan
- Birzeit University, Palestine
- Master program in Clinical Laboratory Science, P. O. Box Birzeit 14, Palestine
| |
Collapse
|