Abstract:

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the ongoing Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. The world Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic on 11th March 2020. Although all ages and profiles are likely to be affected by COVID-19, studies suggest that patients with co-morbidities like hypertension, obesity and diabetes are more likely to have a severe form of COVID-19. For some other diseases such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the information on their adverse outcomes in patients with COVID-19 are conflicting. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among unvaccinated people living with HIV attending at Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza region, Tanzania.

Methodology: A cross sectional hospital-based study involving 150 participants was done among HIV patients attended Bugando Medical Centre, from June to July 2022. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect participant’s information. Blood sample were collected and plasma were used for detection of SARS-CoV-2 (IgM/IgG) antibodies. Data were analyzed using a STATA version 15.

Results: The mean age of enrolled participants was 46.4 [SD: 11.1] years. The overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (IgM/IgG) was 79/150 (52.7%) [95% CI:44.4%-60.9%]. IgM seroprevalence was 18/150 (12.0%) [95% CI:7.3%-18.3%] and IgG seroprevalence was 71/150 (47.3%) [95% CI:39.1%-55.6%]. On multivariate logistic regression history of having sore throat (OR: 6.34, 95% CI: 2.11-19.06, P=0.001) and having low CD4 count (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.99-1.06, P=0.004) were significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 IgG seropositivity.

Conclusion: More than half of the participants had antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 which is significantly associated with living in rural areas, the use of pit latrines, history of having sore throat and having low CD4 count. This estimation is within the third wave of COVID 19.