Previous or current infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus and its impact on maternal and neonatal health outcomes in Benin: a sero-epidemiological study in pregnant women
Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has emerged as a significant global public health challenge, revealing critical vulnerabilities within health systems worldwide. While extensive data on COVID-19 is available from high-income countries, information remains scarce in lower-income regions, par...
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BMC
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Archives of Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-025-01633-0 |
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| author | Manfred Accrombessi Patrice Dangbemey Landry Assongba Anges Yadouleton Edouard Dangbenon Nelly Wakpo Martin C. Akogbeto Natacha Protopopoff Jackie Cook Benjamin Hounkpatin |
| author_facet | Manfred Accrombessi Patrice Dangbemey Landry Assongba Anges Yadouleton Edouard Dangbenon Nelly Wakpo Martin C. Akogbeto Natacha Protopopoff Jackie Cook Benjamin Hounkpatin |
| author_sort | Manfred Accrombessi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has emerged as a significant global public health challenge, revealing critical vulnerabilities within health systems worldwide. While extensive data on COVID-19 is available from high-income countries, information remains scarce in lower-income regions, particularly regarding its impact on pregnant women. This study aims to evaluate the burden of COVID-19 among pregnant women and its effects on maternal and birth outcomes during the third wave in Benin. Methods A cross-sectional, hospital-based survey was conducted from May 19 to September 19, 2022, at the Lagune Mother and Child Teaching Hospital. A standardized questionnaire was administered, and nasal swabs along with serological analysis were performed on 437 pregnant women. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess risk factors and evaluate the impact of previous or current COVID-19 exposure on maternal and birth adverse outcomes. Results SARS-CoV-2 was detected in less than 1% of pregnant women through PCR testing of nasal swab samples. Among the study population, 14.4% of women were vaccinated against COVID-19. A total of 81.1% of women tested positive for antibodies, suggesting prior exposure or infection to SARS-CoV-2 or vaccination. Notably, 78.6% of unvaccinated women had detectable antibodies, which serves as a more accurate proxy for infection prevalence. No significant association was found between prior COVID-19 exposure and adverse maternal and birth outcomes (aOR: 0.48, 95% CI 0.15–1.51). Conclusions Although PCR testing revealed a low incidence of active SARS-CoV-2 infection, the high prevalence of IgG antibodies among pregnant women suggests widespread prior exposure or infection. Vaccination was identified as a strong predictor of detectable IgG antibodies. Notably, despite the presence of antibodies, no significant association was found between prior COVID-19 exposure and adverse maternal or birth outcomes. These findings highlight the need for further research to explore the potential long-term effects of COVID-19 infection on pregnancy outcomes and to better understand the relationship between antibody presence and maternal and fetal health. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8b4d2d9ffca54fe487c02989046c318b |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2049-3258 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | Archives of Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-8b4d2d9ffca54fe487c02989046c318b2025-08-20T02:31:03ZengBMCArchives of Public Health2049-32582025-06-018311910.1186/s13690-025-01633-0Previous or current infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus and its impact on maternal and neonatal health outcomes in Benin: a sero-epidemiological study in pregnant womenManfred Accrombessi0Patrice Dangbemey1Landry Assongba2Anges Yadouleton3Edouard Dangbenon4Nelly Wakpo5Martin C. Akogbeto6Natacha Protopopoff7Jackie Cook8Benjamin Hounkpatin9Centre de Recherche Entomologique de CotonouDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lagoon Mother and Child University Hospital Center, Faculty of Health Science, University of Abomey CalaviCentre de Recherche Entomologique de CotonouLaboratory of Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers and Arboviruses of Benin, Ministry of HealthCentre de Recherche Entomologique de CotonouDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lagoon Mother and Child University Hospital Center, Faculty of Health Science, University of Abomey CalaviCentre de Recherche Entomologique de CotonouDepartment of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical & Public Health InstituteInternational Statistics and Epidemiology Group, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lagoon Mother and Child University Hospital Center, Faculty of Health Science, University of Abomey CalaviAbstract Background SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has emerged as a significant global public health challenge, revealing critical vulnerabilities within health systems worldwide. While extensive data on COVID-19 is available from high-income countries, information remains scarce in lower-income regions, particularly regarding its impact on pregnant women. This study aims to evaluate the burden of COVID-19 among pregnant women and its effects on maternal and birth outcomes during the third wave in Benin. Methods A cross-sectional, hospital-based survey was conducted from May 19 to September 19, 2022, at the Lagune Mother and Child Teaching Hospital. A standardized questionnaire was administered, and nasal swabs along with serological analysis were performed on 437 pregnant women. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess risk factors and evaluate the impact of previous or current COVID-19 exposure on maternal and birth adverse outcomes. Results SARS-CoV-2 was detected in less than 1% of pregnant women through PCR testing of nasal swab samples. Among the study population, 14.4% of women were vaccinated against COVID-19. A total of 81.1% of women tested positive for antibodies, suggesting prior exposure or infection to SARS-CoV-2 or vaccination. Notably, 78.6% of unvaccinated women had detectable antibodies, which serves as a more accurate proxy for infection prevalence. No significant association was found between prior COVID-19 exposure and adverse maternal and birth outcomes (aOR: 0.48, 95% CI 0.15–1.51). Conclusions Although PCR testing revealed a low incidence of active SARS-CoV-2 infection, the high prevalence of IgG antibodies among pregnant women suggests widespread prior exposure or infection. Vaccination was identified as a strong predictor of detectable IgG antibodies. Notably, despite the presence of antibodies, no significant association was found between prior COVID-19 exposure and adverse maternal or birth outcomes. These findings highlight the need for further research to explore the potential long-term effects of COVID-19 infection on pregnancy outcomes and to better understand the relationship between antibody presence and maternal and fetal health.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-025-01633-0SARS-CoV-2COVID-19 infection in pregnancySero-prevalencePoor maternal and birth outcomesBenin |
| spellingShingle | Manfred Accrombessi Patrice Dangbemey Landry Assongba Anges Yadouleton Edouard Dangbenon Nelly Wakpo Martin C. Akogbeto Natacha Protopopoff Jackie Cook Benjamin Hounkpatin Previous or current infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus and its impact on maternal and neonatal health outcomes in Benin: a sero-epidemiological study in pregnant women Archives of Public Health SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 infection in pregnancy Sero-prevalence Poor maternal and birth outcomes Benin |
| title | Previous or current infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus and its impact on maternal and neonatal health outcomes in Benin: a sero-epidemiological study in pregnant women |
| title_full | Previous or current infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus and its impact on maternal and neonatal health outcomes in Benin: a sero-epidemiological study in pregnant women |
| title_fullStr | Previous or current infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus and its impact on maternal and neonatal health outcomes in Benin: a sero-epidemiological study in pregnant women |
| title_full_unstemmed | Previous or current infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus and its impact on maternal and neonatal health outcomes in Benin: a sero-epidemiological study in pregnant women |
| title_short | Previous or current infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus and its impact on maternal and neonatal health outcomes in Benin: a sero-epidemiological study in pregnant women |
| title_sort | previous or current infection with sars cov 2 virus and its impact on maternal and neonatal health outcomes in benin a sero epidemiological study in pregnant women |
| topic | SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 infection in pregnancy Sero-prevalence Poor maternal and birth outcomes Benin |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-025-01633-0 |
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