A study of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity in Duhok City, Iraq

Introduction: The study aimed to investigate the positivity rate of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and associated factors. Methodology: Data and blood samples were collected between January 10th and December 30th, 2021 based on COVID-19 infection by using a designated questionnaire. The blood samples...

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Main Authors: Nawfal R Hussein, Guleer H Shahab, Narin A Rasheed, Alind N Ahmed, Reving S Salih, Ahmed S Mahdi, Sabeeha A Mansour, Shaveen Mahdi, Ibrahim A Naqid, Nawshan Ibrahim, Dildar H Musa, Zana SM Saleem
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries 2023-07-01
Series:Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
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Online Access:https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/17518
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Summary:Introduction: The study aimed to investigate the positivity rate of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and associated factors. Methodology: Data and blood samples were collected between January 10th and December 30th, 2021 based on COVID-19 infection by using a designated questionnaire. The blood samples were used for the detection of total SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Results: 743 participants were recruited and 62.58% of them were positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Among these, 56.34% denied any symptoms of COVID-19. A higher positivity rate was found among females than men (OR = 1.5, CI = 1.1-2.0, p = 0.0073). Participants that had been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past had a significantly higher prevalence of antibodies, and were nearly four times more likely to develop antibodies (OR = 4.0, CI = 2.4-6.8, p < 0.0001). Interestingly, only 3% of the participants with previous COVID-19 were seronegative while 46.54% were positive for antibodies without having a history of COVID-19 infection. Participants that reported symptoms were 2.6 times more likely to develop antibodies (OR = 2.6, CI = 1.9-3.6, p < 0.0001). Lastly, we found age to be significantly associated with the production of antibodies (CI = 13.3-14.7, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The information from this study can be used to mitigate and develop tailored vaccination efforts and plan evidence-based strategies to better mitigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Kurdistan-Iraq.
ISSN:1972-2680