SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and determinants of infection in young adults: a population-based seroepidemiological study.
Public Health
; 207: 54-61, 2022 Jun.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1829392
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
Most SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence studies have focussed on adults and high-risk populations, and little is known about young adults. The objective of the present study was to provide evidence on the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among young adults in Germany and to explore determinants associated with seropositivity in general and, specifically, with previously undetected infections. STUDYDESIGN:
This was a population-based SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence study.METHODS:
In November 2020, a population-based study on SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in young adults (aged 18-30 years) was conducted in a large German city. Serum samples were obtained to analyse the SARS-CoV-2 antibody status using the Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoassay. Descriptive statistics and odds ratios (ORs) of seropositivity and of previously undetected infections in relation to different determinants were calculated.RESULTS:
Among 2186 participants, SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected in 72 individuals, equalling a test performance-adjusted seroprevalence of 3.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4-4.0). Based on reported COVID-19 cases to the public health authority, a moderate underascertainment rate of 1.7 was calculated. Seropositivity was higher among individuals who sought COVID-19-related information from social media (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.2-3.1), and undetected COVID-19 infections were more prevalent among men and those not adhering to social distancing.CONCLUSIONS:
The results show a substantial underascertainment of SARS-CoV-2 infections among young adults and indicate that seroprevalence is likely to be much higher than the reported COVID-19 prevalence based on confirmed COVID-19 cases in Germany. Preventive efforts should consider the heterogeneity of risk profiles among the young adult population.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Young adult
Language:
English
Journal:
Public Health
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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