Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and associated risk factors during the second wave of infection in a university community in Cameroon.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a public health emergency in all sectors of society, including universities and other academic institutions in Cameroon. However, little is known concerning the real prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections among student communities during the second wave of infection in Cameroon. This study aimed to estimate SARS-CoV-2 antibodies seroprevalence among participants in a university community in Cameroon. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2021 in 547 students aged ≥18 years during a mass diagnostic campaign at the School of Health Sciences of the Catholic University of Central Africa (ESS/UCAC). The anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody screening was done using the Panbio™ COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Diagnostic Test. Results: The overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 27%, of which 89.9% (n = 133) was IgG, 6.7% (n = 10) IgM and 3.4% (n = 5) IgG/IgM positive. The undergraduate students represented 79% (432/547) of the total population and were highly positive with anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies 30% (130/432) as compared with postgraduate students 20% (23/115). The total antibody seropositivity was higher in males (34.4%) than females (24.9%). Several factors were associated with an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence including the male gender (OR: 1.61 [95% confidence interval, CI 1.0-2.4]), specialization to medical laboratory (OR: 2.8 [95% CI 1.1-7.1]) and nursing sciences (OR: 2.6 [95% CI 1.1-6.2]). Conclusion: Our findings point to extensive and underreported circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in a university community during the second wave of infection in Cameroon, which likely resulted in artificially low case counts.

[Factors associated with hepatitis B infection in pregnant women at health facilities in the health district of Mokolo/Far North of Cameroon]. / Facteurs associés à l'infection de l'hépatite B chez les femmes enceintes dans les formations sanitaires du district de santé de Mokolo/Région de l'Extrême-Nord Cameroun.

Introduction: perinatal transmission of hepatitis B is responsible for more than one third of cases of viral hepatitis in highly endemic regions. The purpose of this study was to analyse factors associated with hepatitis B infection in pregnant women in the health district of Mokolo/Far North of Cameroon. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2020 to January 2021. Seven hundred ninety-four consenting pregnant women were selected using quota sampling and convenience sampling in seven health facilities in the health district of Mokolo. Socio-demographic data were collected as well patients´ medical history. Tests to detect hepatitis B serological markers and co-infections (human immunodeficiency virus, syphilis and hepatitis C) were performed. The degree of association with carriage of HbsAg was investigated using the 5% significance level. Results: after multivariate logistic regression analysis, educational level (OR=1.58; 95% CI=1.08-2.30; p=0.019), partner´s work (OR=4.07; 95% CI=1.33-12.53; p = 0.024), first trimester of pregnancy (OR=2.38; 95% CI=1.12-5.04; p = 0.024) and syphilis serology (OR=3.27; 95% CI=1.29-8.28; p=0.012) were identified as major risk factors. HBsAg seroprevalence was 18.4% (95% CI=15.9-21.3) with HBsAg positivity of 13.7% (95% CI=7.5-19.9) in the health district of Mokolo. Conclusion: in agreement with the literature, this study showed several factors associated with hepatitis B during pregnancy. Some factors such as « unspecified ¼ partner´s work and positive syphilis serology were specific results of this study, but should be confirmed.