TY - JOUR
T1 - Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Africa
T2 - A systematic review and meta-analysis
AU - Chisale, Master R.O.
AU - Ramazanu, Sheena
AU - Mwale, Saul Eric
AU - Kumwenda, Pizga
AU - Chipeta, Mep
AU - Kaminga, Atipatsa C.
AU - Nkhata, Obed
AU - Nyambalo, Billy
AU - Chavura, Elton
AU - Mbakaya, Balwani C.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
PY - 2022/3
Y1 - 2022/3
N2 - We estimated the seroprevalence of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in residents of African countries and explored its associated factors. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, AMED, CINAHL, DOAJ and Google Scholar databases for peer reviewed articles and pre-prints that reported anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence of general or specific human populations resident in Africa. The eligible studies were evaluated using Joana Briggs Institute prevalence critical appraisal tool. Twenty-three studies involving 27,735 individuals were included in our paper. The pooled seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Africa was 22% (95%CI: 14–31) with very high heterogeneity (I2 = 100%, p < 0.001). Seroprevalence was highest in studies conducted in Central Africa compared to Southern Africa, West Africa, North Africa and East Africa respectively. The number of days between the first reported coronavirus disease 2019 case in each country and when a seroprevalence study was conducted was a significant moderator of seroprevalence. Seropositivity was numerically influenced by gender and age of the participants with males and those aged below 50 years being most affected with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The highest pooled seroprevalence in Africa reported in this review should be interpreted cautiously due to high heterogeneity between studies. Continued seroprevalence surveillance is warranted to establish Africa's transition towards herd immunity.
AB - We estimated the seroprevalence of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in residents of African countries and explored its associated factors. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, AMED, CINAHL, DOAJ and Google Scholar databases for peer reviewed articles and pre-prints that reported anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence of general or specific human populations resident in Africa. The eligible studies were evaluated using Joana Briggs Institute prevalence critical appraisal tool. Twenty-three studies involving 27,735 individuals were included in our paper. The pooled seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Africa was 22% (95%CI: 14–31) with very high heterogeneity (I2 = 100%, p < 0.001). Seroprevalence was highest in studies conducted in Central Africa compared to Southern Africa, West Africa, North Africa and East Africa respectively. The number of days between the first reported coronavirus disease 2019 case in each country and when a seroprevalence study was conducted was a significant moderator of seroprevalence. Seropositivity was numerically influenced by gender and age of the participants with males and those aged below 50 years being most affected with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The highest pooled seroprevalence in Africa reported in this review should be interpreted cautiously due to high heterogeneity between studies. Continued seroprevalence surveillance is warranted to establish Africa's transition towards herd immunity.
KW - Africa
KW - antibody
KW - Covid-19
KW - SARS-CoV-2
KW - seroprevalence
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85121868860&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/rmv.2271
DO - 10.1002/rmv.2271
M3 - Review article
C2 - 34228851
AN - SCOPUS:85121868860
SN - 1052-9276
VL - 32
JO - Reviews in Medical Virology
JF - Reviews in Medical Virology
IS - 2
M1 - e2271
ER -
