Journal of Clinical Oncology & Advanced Therapy

Abstract

Background: It was estimated that about 200 million cases and 4.3 million deaths were reported due to the Coronavirus disease -19 (COVID-19) pandemic. The seroprevalence ranged from 14.2% to 15.4% globally in the general population and 6% in Kenya to 8.9% in Italy among pregnant women. The ongoing pandemic apart from affecting the general population had also been shown to affect pregnant women where the disease progression was rapid and more fatal. Many studies had been carried out to explore the burden of SARS-CoV-2) among the general population as well as pregnant women in developed countries. The need to ascertain the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and associated factors among pregnant women is still a concern in developing countries. The study findings might be useful to improve the antenatal care package at the ministry level.

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and associated factors among pregnant women in selected health facilities in Mwanza, Tanzania.

Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 192 consented pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at Makongoro, Igoma, Karume, and Sengerema health centers, in the Mwanza region conducted from July to November 2022. Data were collected by using a structured questionnaire and the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was done by using rapid immunochromatographic tests as per manufacturer’s instruction. The data were entered into Excel, cleaned, and analyzed using STATA version 15.

Categorical variables were summarized as proportions while continuous variables were summarized as mean ± standard deviation and presented in tables. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and associated factors among pregnant women in selected health facilities in Mwanza, Tanzania. The 95% confidence interval was determined and p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: A total of 192 pregnant women in their different trimesters were enrolled in this study with a mean age of 25.4 ± 5.4 years and a mean gestation age of 25.6 ± 8.3 weeks. The overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among pregnant women was 139(72.4%, 95% CI: 65-78%) in Mwanza, Tanzania. The seroprevalence of IgG was 136 (70.8%) and for both IgG and IgM was 3(1.6%). However, none of them tested positive for IgM antibodies. High education level (OR:2.19, 95% CI= 1.06 - 4.54, P=0.035) and advanced gestation age (OR:4.38, 95% CI= 1.16- 16.53, P= 0.029) were independently associated with SARS-CoV- 2 seropositivity in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusion: Almost three-quarters of pregnant women in Nyamagana, Ilemela, and Sengerema districts were previously infected with SARS-CoV-2, and has been associated with high education level and advanced gestation age. This calls upon the Ministry of Health to advocate continued health education on preventive measures, implementation of vaccination programs, and screening activities to protect this vulnerable group.