Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G antibody during COVID-19 pandemic in Fayoum District, Egypt: a community-based pilot survey

Introduction: controlling the worldwide pandemic, coronavirus disease (COVID-19), could be impossible due to the hesitancy about the available vaccines and the difficulty to implement strict restrictions. Little information is available about herd immunity in the highly vulnerable region of North East Africa, Egypt. Objectives: to assess the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 during the pandemic in one of the highly vulnerable populations in Egypt, Fayoum district of Fayoum Governorate. Additionally, to assess the predictive value of symptoms and other associated risk factors towards a positive COVID-19 test. Methods: in this cross-sectional community-based pilot study, immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies that are specific for the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S1-RBD) protein were tested during the period from February 2021 to July 2021. Results: out of 155 participants, 60.6% were SARS-CoV-2 seropositive. Out of symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, 76.5% and 56.2% were seropositive, respectively. Surprisingly, only one individual had received the COVID-19 vaccine. Previous history of COVID-19; such as symptoms and gender are statistically significant predictors of high seroconversion independent of age, comorbidities, and level of education. Conclusion: this study which disclosed unexpectedly high SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion among the Egyptians, might provide a clear insight into COVID-19 transmission patterns and state of immunity. Further study with a larger sample size on a large scale is required to represent the whole local population.

Prevalence and pattern of social media use and its effect on social health among Fayoum university students

Background: Social media social media are caused a revolution in the last century. Almost everyone has access to social media with different ways. Many students use Social media for contact with each other, following updating news, and help them in their study. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence, pattern of Social media and its effects on social health of Fayoum university students.Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study involving 633 students at Fayoum university.Results: As regards social media use, the majority of the student (94.2%) was using at least one type of SM. More than half of them (55.5%) visit (3-5) SM sites. About one third of the students (30.9%) stated that they spend (3-4) hours daily. Regarding effect of social media, one third of the students (30.2%) thought that SM sites decrease friendship level, (73.0%) limit sport time, and has a negative effect on the learning process (62.4%). The motivations for using social media were the search for news (38.1%) and making friendship (31.2%). Multiple logistic regression for factors associated with using social media revealed that age more than 20 years and male gender were significantly associated with using social media (p=0.003 and 0.016, respectively).Conclusions: The majority of students use Social media for different reasons. Social media reduced social interrelations of the students may set down their study. So, increase awareness about the hazards of social media among students including their physical and psychosocial health. Highlighted the balanced use of social media for proper improving the learning process through prompt uses of information and communication.