Prevalence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in Nigeria

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains one of the most challenging pandemics in the world with fewer casualties in Nigeria despite minimal vaccine uptake. This study examines the prevalence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in subjects attending Federal Medical Center, Owo, Ondo State. A questionnaire based descriptive cross-sectional was conducted in 2022 among 100 patients from Federal Medical Centre in Owo, Ondo State .50 of whom had received the COIVD-19 vaccine and 50 of whom had not. For this study, men and women between the ages of 18 and 55 who appeared to be in good health were included. According to the study's findings, the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 5% of the population while it was absent in 95% of the rest. Two (2.00%) men and three (3.00%) women out of the five who confirmed positive for SARS CoV 2. The findings also revealed that, of the 5 participants who were tested positive for SARS CoV 2, 4 (80.00%) had not had a vaccination, while 1 (20.00%) had. Adult Nigerians who have never received the COVID-19 vaccine have a high SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence rate. Age and gender do not appear to significantly correlate with sero-positivity (p>0.05). Therefore, anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing is required after vaccination since it may be necessary to achieve herd immunity. Keywords: antibody; SARS-CoV-2; Sero-prevalence; vaccine; Covid-19