Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 virus antibodies and sociodemographic features of pregnant women in Mogadishu, Somalia: a cross-sectional survey study

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in pregnant women in Kilifi, Kenya from March 2020 to March 2022

Background

Seroprevalence studies are an alternative approach to estimating the extent of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and the evolution of the pandemic in different geographical settings. We aimed to determine the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence from March 2020 to March 2022 in a rural and urban setting in Kilifi County, Kenya.

Methods

We obtained representative random samples of stored serum from a pregnancy cohort study for the period March 2020 to March 2022 and tested for antibodies against the spike protein using a qualitative SARS-CoV-2 ELISA kit (Wantai, total antibodies). All positive samples were retested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid antibodies (Euroimmun, ELISA kits, NCP, qualitative, IgG) and anti-spike protein antibodies (Euroimmun, ELISA kits, QuantiVac; quantitative, IgG).

Results

A total of 2,495 (of 4,703 available) samples were tested. There was an overall trend of increasing seropositivity from a low of 0% [95% CI 0-0.06] in March 2020 to a high of 89.4% [95% CI 83.36-93.82] in Feb 2022. Of the Wantai test-positive samples, 59.7% [95% CI 57.06-62.34] tested positive by the Euroimmun anti-SARS-CoV-2 NCP test and 37.4% [95% CI 34.83-40.04] tested positive by the Euroimmun anti-SARS-CoV-2 QuantiVac test. No differences were observed between the urban and rural hospital but villages adjacent to the major highway traversing the study area had a higher seroprevalence.

Conclusion

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence rose rapidly, with most of the population exposed to SARS-CoV-2 within 23 months of the first cases. The high cumulative seroprevalence suggests greater population exposure to SARS-CoV-2 than that reported from surveillance data.

Investigation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antibodies among the paediatric population in Mogadishu, Somalia

BACKGROUND

We undertook this cross-sectional study to determine the level of circulating anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 immunoglobulins (IgM and IgG) in children, as well as to evaluate other potential risk factors.

METHODS

Children attending the outpatient department of the SOS and Benadir Hospitals in Mogadishu from 26 July to 8 August 2021 were selected following parental consent. The children (aged <18 y) were screened using the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapid test lateral flow immune-assay kit.

RESULTS

Of the 500 children screened for COVID-19, 32 (6.4%) tested positive, out of which 26 (5.2%) had IgG antibodies, while five (1%) had IgM, with the other child (0.2%) having both circulating IgG and IgM antibodies. Also, 46.9% of the COVID-19-positive children were asymptomatic without any clinical signs of the disease. Children aged >6 y and those attending school were the most affected (p=0.002). The most common clinical features among positive children were fever (22.6%), cough (22.2%), shortness of breath (5.8%) and loss of smell (2.6%) and taste (2.2%). Similarly, not wearing a facemask as a preventive measure was found to be a significant risk factor (p=0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that children are at risk of contracting COVID-19 infection. Our study also shows evidence of a high rate of IgG antibodies in school-aged children having close contact with infected adults, in those not wearing facemasks, as well as in those with a family history of comorbidities.

HOW MISUSE OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS IS EXACERBATING THE CHALLENGES FACING SOMALIA'S PUBLIC HEALTH

Background

In contrast to most developed countries, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has continued to be a serious challenge to public health in the majority of resource-limited countries in Africa.

Materials and method

A comprehensive review of all available literature reporting on antimicrobial resistance patterns, antimicrobial drug usage in both human and animals, as well as national AMR regulations in Somalia was undertaken.

Results

The review observed that successful AMR control and surveillance among resource-poor nations are affected by a lack of infrastructural and institutional capacities, poor investment in human and material resources, as well as non-adherence to available policies. The humanitarian crisis affecting Somalia has persisted for too long, leading to loss of lives, productivity and dilapidation of public health infrastructures. Somalia like most countries has adopted the One Health approach in developing their soon-to-be gazetted National Action Plan on AMR, which covers both human health, animal health and the environment. Although there are many other similar policy documents and guidelines regulating the usage and administration of antimicrobials in the country, evidence of the implementation indicates there is still a need for more effort.

Conclusion

AMR constitute a significant public health problem in Somali, and there is urgent need for gazetting and enforcement of the newly developed national policy. In addition, there is also the need for collaboration with the major stakeholders to develop workable solutions to combat the hazards posed by AMR in the country.

COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage and Potential Drivers of Vaccine Uptake among Healthcare Workers in SOMALIA: A Cross-Sectional Study

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are one of the most vulnerable groups for contracting COVID-19 and dying as a result of it. Over 10,000 HCWs in Africa have been infected with COVID-19, according to the World Health Organization, making it a substantial occupational health threat for HCWs. To that end, Somalia’s Ministry of Health has ordered that all healthcare personnel obtain the COVID-19 vaccination to safeguard themselves and the community they serve. In this investigation, we aimed to assess the COVID-19 vaccination coverage and its associated factors among healthcare workers in Somalia. A cross-sectional study was employed to examine COVID-19 vaccination coverage among healthcare personnel in Somalia. The data were obtained via an online questionnaire supplied by Google forms between December 2021 and February 2022, where a total of 1281 healthcare workers from the various federal states of Somalia were recruited. A multinomial regression analysis was used to analyse the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Overall, 1281 HCWs participated (630 females, 651 males) with a mean age and standard deviation of 27.7 years ± 7.1. The overall vaccine coverage was 37.4%. Sex, age, the state of residency, education level, specialization, hospital COVID-19 policy, vaccine availability at the centre, COVID-19 treatment centre, and health facility level were the factors that influenced the COVID-19 vaccine uptake among health professionals in Somalia. Male healthcare employees were 2.2 times (odds ratio-OR = 2.2; confidence interval-CI: 1.70, 2.75, p < 0.001) more likely than female healthcare workers to be fully vaccinated. The survey discovered that the COVID-19 vaccine coverage among health professionals was quite low, with the major contributing factors being accessibility, security challenges and literary prowess. Additional efforts to enhance vaccination uptake are needed to improve the COVID-19 vaccination coverage.