Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic threatens indigenous peoples living in suburban areas of large Brazilian cities and has thus far intensified their pre-existing socio-economic inequalities. We evaluated the epidemiological situation of SARS-CoV-2 infection among residents of the biggest urban multiethnic indigenous community of the Amazonas state, Brazil. Blood samples of 280 indigenous people living in the surrounding area of Manaus were tested for the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA or IgG antibodies. The risk factors and sociodemographic information were assessed through an epidemiological questionnaire. We found a total positivity rate of 64.64% (95% CI 59.01–70.28) for SARS-CoV-2 infection. IgA and IgG were detected in 55.71% (95% CI 49.89–61.54) and 60.71% (95% CI 54.98–66.45) of the individuals, respectively. Over 80% of positive individuals were positive for both IgA and IgG.No significant difference in positivity rates between genders or age groups was observed. Moreover, the age group ≥ 60 years old showed the highest antibody ratios (IgA mean ratio = 3.080 ± 1.623; IgG mean ratio = 4.221 ± 1.832), while the age groups 13–19 and 20–29 showed the lowest IgA (mean ratio = 2.268 ± 0.919) and IgG ratios (mean ratio = 2.207 ± 1.246), respectively. Individuals leaving the home more frequently were at higher risk of infection (Odds ratio (OD) 2.61; 95% CI 1.00–1.49; p = 0.048). Five or more individuals per household increased fivefold the risk of virus transmission (OR 2.56; 95% CI 1.09–6.01; p = 0.019). The disproportionate dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 infection observed among the study population might be driven by typical cultural behavior and socioeconomic inequalities. Despite the pandemic threat, this population is not being targeted by public policies and appears to be chronically invisible to the Brazilian authorities.
Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic threatens indigenous peoples living in suburban areas of large Brazilian cities and has far intensified their pre-existing socio-economic inequalities
The positivity rates for IgA and IgG observed in the study population were 60.71% and 55.71%, respectively
The effectiveness of pandemic response management demands a better comprehension on the impact of social asymmetries in relation to SARSCoV-2 exposure risk within different population groups, especially amid ethnic minorities living in poverty, such as the indigenous populations of this region
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic threatens indigenous peoples living in suburban areas of large Brazilian cities and has far intensified their pre-existing socio-economic inequalities. We evaluated the epidemiological situation of SARS-CoV-2 infection among residents of the biggest urban multiethnic indigenous community of the Amazonas state, Brazil. The true number of indigenous populations residing in the surrounding areas of Manaus is unknown, though, it is estimated that 20,000 individuals from 92 ethnicities live in 62 urban indigenous communities[10]. This population is completely invisible to the Brazilian public health agenda, especially regarding COVID-19. This study assessed the magnitude of the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and its transmission risk factors among the biggest multiethnic urban indigenous community located on the west side of Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil
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