PREVALENCE OF MARKERS OF SARS-COV-2 INFECTION AMONG RESIDENTS OF KYIV REGION AT THE BEGINNING OF THE COVID-19 EPIDEMIC – FIRST RESULTS IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The aim was to determine the seroprevalence of COVID-19, including among healthcare workers and to identify behavioral risk factors. Materials & methods. During June 10 – July 2, 2020, a population cross-sectional study of COVID-19 seroprevalence was carried out in two districts of the Kiev region. Serum samples from 918 subjects were tested. Participants from the general population and health care workers randomly selected. IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 detected by method of ELISA. Demographic and behavioral information collected via an anonymous questionnaire. Results. Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 59 subjects (6.43 %, 95 % CI 6.39-6.49). Seroprevalence was higher among healthcare workers (16.67, 95 % CI 16.28–17.06) compared to the general population (3.83 %, 95 % CI 3.78–3.88). More than a third of seropositive individuals (39.29 %, 95 % CI 39.27-39.31) did not report any symptoms. Seropositivity in the general population was associated with age 50–59 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.53, 95 % CI 1.14–5.60), acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) (OR 3.28, 95 % CI 1, 53-7.05) and their symptoms (OR 6.35, 95 % CI 2.0–20.21), attendance church holidays (OR 8.87, 95 % CI 3.26–24.15). Significant risk factors for medical workers were age 20–29 years (OR 4.53, 95 % CI 1.38–14.91), ARVI (OR 12.9, 95 % CI 5.3–31.0), unknown the number of persons from close communication (OR 2.7, 95 % CI 1.1–6.5), non-compliance with self-isolation (OR 7.5, 95 % CI 2.6–21.5). Conclusions. At the time of the survey, most individuals did not have antibodies of the IgG class to SARS-CoV-2. Seropositivity data may reflect the proportion of the population that had mild illness, did not seek medical attention, and did not receive testing, but may have contributed to active transmission of the virus. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and vaccine coverage is far from adequate, there is a need for further high-quality sero-epidemiological studies. Keywords: antibodies, general population, healthcare workers, SARS-CoV-2, seroprevalence, risk factors.