Abstract
Abstract Background and aims The Coptic Clergy, due to their specific work involving interaction with many people, could be subjected to increased risk of infection from COVID-19. The aim of this study, a sub-study of the COVID-19-CVD international study of the impact of the pandemic on the cardiovascular system, was to assess the prevalence of COVID-19 among Coptic priests and identify predictors of clinical adverse events. Methods Participants were geographically divided into three groups: Group-I: Europe and USA, Group II: Northern Egypt and Group III: Southern Egypt. Participants' demographic indices, cardiovascular risk factors, possible source of infection, number of liturgies, infection management and major adverse events (MAEs), comprising death, re-infection or mechanical ventilation, were assessed. Results Out of the 1,570 clergy serving in 25 dioceses, 226 (14.39%) were infected. Their mean age was 49.5±12 years and mean weekly number of liturgies was 3.44±1.0. The overall prevalence rate was 14.7% and did not differ between Egypt as a whole and overseas (p=0.23). Disease prevalence was higher in Northern Egypt clergy compared to Europe and USA combined (18.4% vs 12.1%, p=0.03) and tended to be higher than in Southern Egypt (18.4% vs. 13.6%, p=0.09). Ten priests (4.42%) died of COVID-19 related complications, 2 (0.9%) had re-infection and 27 (11.9%) suffered a MAE. The clergy from Southern Egypt were more obese but the remaining risk factors were less prevalent compared to those in Europe and USA (p=0.01). In multivariate analysis, obesity OR 4.184 (2.483 to 12.14; p=0.01); age OR 1.070 (0.014 to 1.130; p=0.02), and systemic hypertension OR 0.932 (0.874 to 0.994; p=0.007) predicted MAEs. Obesity was the most powerful independent predictor of MAE in Southern Egypt and systemic hypertension in Northern Egypt (p<0.05 for both). Conclusion Obesity is very prevalent among Coptic clergy and seems to be the most powerful independent predictor of major COVID-19-related adverse events. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Prevalence of SARS-CoV2 among Clergy
Highlights
COVID-19 is an aggressive pandemic that has claimed the life of millions worldwide [1]
The Northern Egypt clergy had significantly higher disease prevalence compared with the regions of Europe and USA combined (18.4% vs. 12.1%, p = 0.03) and tended to be higher compared with Southern Egypt
Our results show that the overall prevalence of COVID-19 among Coptic clergy was 14.2% (18.4%, 13.4%, 12.1% for Northern Egypt, Southern Egypt, and combined Europe and USA, respectively)
Summary
COVID-19 is an aggressive pandemic that has claimed the life of millions worldwide [1]. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of Coptic clergy who caught COVID-19, irrespective of the clinical management regimen required, home treatment, or hospital admission, to identify the potential risk factors that contributed to disease spread, and to propose practical means for optimum disease prevention. The aim of this study, a sub-study of the COVID-19-CVD international study of the impact of the pandemic on the cardiovascular system, was to assess the prevalence of COVID-19 among Coptic priests and to identify predictors of clinical adverse events. The clergy from Southern Egypt were more obese, but the remaining risk factors were less prevalent compared with those in Europe and USA (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Obesity is very prevalent among Coptic clergy and seems to be the most powerful independent predictor of major COVID-19-related adverse events. Coptic clergy should be encouraged to follow the WHO recommendations for cardiovascular disease and COVID-19 prevention
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