Cumulative seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among blood donors in Burkina Faso, April 2022
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.18381Keywords:
COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, antibodies, blood donors, seroprevalence, Burkina FasoAbstract
Introduction: In Sub-Saharan Africa, the true extent of the COVID-19 pandemic is not known due to the low number of tests performed and the large proportion of asymptomatic cases in the populations. This was a seroprevalence study of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in blood donors to assess the extent of virus circulation in Burkina Faso.
Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study that included unpaid blood donors between March and April 2022. A rapid diagnostic test was used to screen SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in donors' plasma. Adjustment was made based on the performance of the test evaluated in a national quality control.
Results: A total of 3,084 blood donors were recruited, of whom 58.7% were male and 59.8% were from urban areas. The mean age was 22.9 ± 5.8 years, with donors aged 20 to 29 years accounting for 64.2%. The adjusted seroprevalence was 87.2%; 95% CI (86.4– 87.9). There was no difference in SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity between men and women, and between urban and rural areas. Donors aged 30-39 years had 0.5-fold lower odds of having SARS-CoV-2 antibodies than those under 20. Similarly, compared to Bobo-Dioulasso, blood donors from the Dédougou, Fada N'Gourma, and Koudougou centres had 0.5, 0.2, and 0.5 times lower odds of having SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, respectively.
Conclusions: The study indicates a high population exposure to SARS-CoV-2, in contrast with the official reports from the national surveillance system. It underscores the need to strengthen surveillance and public health interventions both in urban and rural areas.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Salam SAWADOGO, Yacouba Diallo, Koumpingnin Nébié, Ivlabèhirè Bertrand Méda, Corneille Ydriss Djerma, George Pingdwendé Ouédraogo, Donatien Kima, Serge Mamadou Sawadogo, Amadou Kafando, Sinaré Coulibaly, Cheickh Ashmed Bachirou Nana, Yetema Dieudonné Yonli, Martin Ouédraogo, Anita Pierrette Siritié, Sylvie Zida, Charlemagne Sanhitouo Dabiré, Rakietou Traoré, Aïna Kadidiatou Konaté, Anita Benao, Seimbou Zalla, Sonia Sontié, Véronique Deneys, Eléonore Kafando, Henri Gautier Ouédraogo
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