COVID-19: seroprevalence and adherence to preventive measures in Arkhangelsk, Northwest Russia.

BACKGROUND: The published estimates of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in Russia are few. The study aimed to assess the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in Arkhangelsk (Northwest Russia), in a year after the start of the pandemic, to evaluate the population adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), and to investigate characteristics associated with COVID-19 seropositive status. METHODS: We conducted a SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence study between 24 February and 30 June 2021 involving 1332 adults aged 40-74 years. Logistic regression models were fit to identify factors associated with seropositive status and with adherence to NPIs. RESULTS: Less than half (48.9%) of study participants adhered all recommended NPIs. Male sex (odds ratio [OR] 1.7, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.3; 2.3), regular employment (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3; 2.5) and low confidence in the efficiency of the NPIs (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.5; 2.5) were associated with low adherence to internationally recommended NPIs. The SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence rate was 65.1% (95% CI: 62.5; 67.6) and increased to 73.0% (95% CI: 67.1; 85.7) after adjustment for test performance. Regular employment (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.5; 2.8) and current smoking (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2; 0.5) were associated with being seropositive due to the infection. CONCLUSIONS: Two third of the study population were seropositive in a year after the onset of the pandemic in Arkhangelsk. Individuals with infection-acquired immunity were more likely to have regular work and less likely to be smokers. The adherence to NPIs was not found associated with getting the virus during the first year of the pandemic.

Seroprevalence of SARS-Cov-2 Antibodies in Adults, Arkhangelsk, Russia.

Population-based data on coronavirus disease in Russia and on the immunogenicity of the Sputnik V vaccine are sparse. In a survey of 1,080 residents of Arkhangelsk 40-75 years of age, 65% were seropositive for IgG. Fifteen percent of participants had been vaccinated; of those, 97% were seropositive.

Healthcare-associated infections in Northern Russia: Results of ten point-prevalence surveys in 2006-2010.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Statistics on healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in Russia is scarce and has been considered to suffer from underreporting. We assessed the prevalence and changes in the prevalence of HAIs over 5 years and identified factors associated with acquiring HAIs in the pediatric hospital in Arkhangelsk, Northern Russia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten cross-sectional studies were conducted in the Arkhangelsk regional pediatric hospital biannually during 2006-2010. We used a standardized protocol, including the criteria of HAI proposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Binary logistic regression was applied to study factors associated with HAI. RESULTS: Altogether, 3264 inpatients were enrolled in the study and 347 of them had HAI (11.2%). The prevalence of HAI per survey ranged from 7.1% (95% CI: 4.8%-10.4%) to 16.7% (95% CI: 13.1%-21.2%). The most prevalent HAIs were upper respiratory tract infections 5.1% (95% CI: 4.4%-5.9%), followed by urinary tract infections, 1.5% (95% CI: 1.2%-2.0%), and acute gastroenteritis, 1.4% (95% CI: 1.1%-1.9%). Compared to infants, children aged 5-9 years (OR=0.7, 95% CI: 0.4-1.0), 10-14 years (OR=0.4, 95% CI: 0.3-0.7), and ≥15 years (OR=0.3, 95% CI: 0.2-0.5) were less likely to have HAI. Neutropenia (OR=1.5, 95% CI: 1.0-2.3) and use of intravascular catheter(s) (OR=1.8, 95% CI: 1.1-3.0) were positively associated with HAI. CONCLUSIONS: The observed prevalence of HAIs is within the range reported in several other European countries. We do not recommend generalizing our findings to other Russian settings given considerable variations between regions in both socio-economic situation and conditions of medical facilities.