Phased Multi-Country Seroepidemiology Study of Over 20000 Individuals&#160;In West Africa Reveals the Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Exposure Driven by Delta, Omicron and Omicron Waves

Aniefiok Udoakang; Armel Moumouni Sanou; Kesego Tapela; Irene Amoakoh Owusu; Kyerewaa Akuamoah Boateng; Taiwo Gboluwaga Amole; Johnson Okolie; Baba Mayaki Musa; Jamilu Abubakar Bala; Kazeem Akano; Ajibade Olufunke Olayemi; Daniel Oduro-Mensah; Olivia Achonduh-Atijegbe; Ajayi Nnennaya; Okoro Sylvanus Ihere; Benedict Azuogu; Okechukwu Ukpabi; Kingsley Chiedozie Ojide; Augustine Abu; Moyosoore Osoba; Nicholas Oyejide; Evans Agyapong Owusu; Gloria Amegatcher; Bismark Adade; James Ekow Sampah; George Agyei; Benjamin Boateng; William Oduro-Obeng; Janet Ogoe-Anderson; Nicholas Aloba Amekpordi; Safiatu Alhassan; David Afrifa; Bismark Akwasi Opoku; Onikepe Folarin; Ayodeji Oluwafemi Oladele; Chukwuyem Abejegah; Akinola Nelson Adedosu; Liasu Adeagbo Ahmed; Samuel S. Serme; Maurice Ouattara; Denise Hien; Issa Nébié; Rachael Boateng Obeng; Precious Opurum; Isah Abubakar Aliyu; Fatima Oyawoye; Dzidzor Yawa Ayeke; Michael F. Ofori; Achille Sindimbasba Nikiema; Bazoumana Bala Danouma Sow; Lea Paré-Toé; Charles Guissou; Bismark Minnah; Gifty Amponsah; Sylvester Donne Dassah; Francis Dzabeng; Sharif Alhassan Abdullahi; Nura Garba; Khadija Muhammad Bala; Rufai Umar Zubair; Mahfuz Muhammad Haddad; Lucas Amenga-Etego; Dominic Selorm Yao Amuzu; Collins Misita Morang’a; Kwabena A. N. Sarpong; Patrick W. Narkwa; Alphonse Ouedraogo; William Ampofo; Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe; Patrick Kuma-Aboagye; Kwabena Obeng Duedu; James Abugri; Mohamed Mutocheluh; Gideon K. Helegbe; Paul Armah Aryee; James Duah; Peter Yeboah; Reuben Ayivor-Djanie; Yaw Bediako; Abdoulaye Diabaté; Hadiza Shehu Galadanci; Sodiomon Sirima; Christian T. Happi; Gordon Awandare; Peter Kojo Quashie; Jones Gyamfi

doi:10.2139/ssrn.4593226

Phased Multi-Country Seroepidemiology Study of Over 20000 Individuals In West Africa Reveals the Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Exposure Driven by Delta, Omicron and Omicron Waves

Aniefiok Udoakang, Armel Moumouni Sanou, Kesego Tapela, Irene Amoakoh Owusu, Kyerewaa Akuamoah Boateng, Taiwo Gboluwaga Amole, Johnson Okolie, Baba Mayaki Musa, Jamilu Abubakar Bala, Kazeem Akano, Ajibade Olufunke Olayemi, Daniel Oduro-Mensah, Olivia Achonduh-Atijegbe, Ajayi Nnennaya, Okoro Sylvanus Ihere, Benedict Azuogu, Okechukwu Ukpabi, Kingsley Chiedozie Ojide, Augustine Abu, Moyosoore OsobaNicholas Oyejide, Evans Agyapong Owusu, Gloria Amegatcher, Bismark Adade, James Ekow Sampah, George Agyei, Benjamin Boateng, William Oduro-Obeng, Janet Ogoe-Anderson, Nicholas Aloba Amekpordi, Safiatu Alhassan, David Afrifa, Bismark Akwasi Opoku, Onikepe Folarin, Ayodeji Oluwafemi Oladele, Chukwuyem Abejegah, Akinola Nelson Adedosu, Liasu Adeagbo Ahmed, Samuel S. Serme, Maurice Ouattara, Denise Hien, Issa Nébié, Rachael Boateng Obeng, Precious Opurum, Isah Abubakar Aliyu, Fatima Oyawoye, Dzidzor Yawa Ayeke, Michael F. Ofori, Achille Sindimbasba Nikiema, Bazoumana Bala Danouma Sow, Lea Paré-Toé, Charles Guissou, Bismark Minnah, Gifty Amponsah, Sylvester Donne Dassah, Francis Dzabeng, Sharif Alhassan Abdullahi, Nura Garba, Khadija Muhammad Bala, Rufai Umar Zubair, Mahfuz Muhammad Haddad, Lucas Amenga-Etego, Dominic Selorm Yao Amuzu, Collins Misita Morang’a, Kwabena A. N. Sarpong, Patrick W. Narkwa, Alphonse Ouedraogo, William Ampofo, Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Kwabena Obeng Duedu, James Abugri, Mohamed Mutocheluh, Gideon K. Helegbe, Paul Armah Aryee, James Duah, Peter Yeboah, Reuben Ayivor-Djanie, Yaw Bediako, Abdoulaye Diabaté, Hadiza Shehu Galadanci, Sodiomon Sirima, Christian T. Happi, Gordon Awandare, Peter Kojo Quashie, Jones Gyamfi

Research output: Working paper › Preprint

Abstract

Background: Africa has appeared spared from severe morbidity and mortality upon SARS-COV-2 infection. Studies have demonstrated high-level SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in healthy Africans, which some have attributed to pre-pandemic cross-reactive antibodies.  Phased studies can link trends in SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity to transmission waves.   This study tracked trends in seropositivity across three West African countries and investigated factors associated with seropositivity, vaccine uptake and attitudes. Methods: Phased serosurveys were conducted across three West African countries: Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Nigeria. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected in peripheral blood using validated immunoassay kits. Sampling periods correlated to ‘Delta’ and ‘Omicron’ waves. The primary outcome was the proportions of each population that have antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Participants’ metadata was obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire. Findings: Participants numbered 20,748 across the 3 countries.  Across countries, SARS-CoV-2 IgG seropositivity ranged from 24.1-77.0 %. Seropositivity was higher than in previous Ghanaian ‘Alpha wave’ studies. At all sites, seropositivity increased sharply during the ‘Omicron’ wave, indicating that seropositivity was likely linked to increased transmissions. All sites demonstrated low self-reported vaccination rates, delinking seropositivity and vaccination. There was a significant positive association between seropositivity and age across all sites. Association with other demographic factors was country dependent. Most participants expressed positive opinions of vaccination; negative opinions often reflected misinformation. Significance: This, the largest population-based SARS-CoV-2 seroepidemiology study in Africa, confirms widespread exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection in West Africa, not linked to pre-existing cross-reactivity. This study supports population-level biological protection against severe COVID-19 in West Africa. Funding: The Rockefeller Foundation, UK government Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

Original language	English
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4593226
Publication status	Published (VoR) - 9 Oct 2023

Publication series

Name	LANGLH-D-23-01530

Keywords

Seroprevalence
COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2 in West Africa
COVID-19 Sero-survey
SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Response

Access to Document

10.2139/ssrn.4593226

Cite this

Udoakang, A., Sanou, A. M., Tapela, K., Owusu, I. A., Boateng, K. A., Amole, T. G., Okolie, J., Musa, B. M., Bala, J. A., Akano, K., Olayemi, A. O., Oduro-Mensah, D., Achonduh-Atijegbe, O., Nnennaya, A., Ihere, O. S., Azuogu, B., Ukpabi, O., Ojide, K. C., Abu, A., ... Gyamfi, J. (2023). Phased Multi-Country Seroepidemiology Study of Over 20000 Individuals In West Africa Reveals the Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Exposure Driven by Delta, Omicron and Omicron Waves. (LANGLH-D-23-01530). https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4593226

@techreport{683866f2280d4cc5925f48dbffc1c657,

title = "Phased Multi-Country Seroepidemiology Study of Over 20000 Individuals In West Africa Reveals the Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Exposure Driven by Delta, Omicron and Omicron Waves",

abstract = "Background: Africa has appeared spared from severe morbidity and mortality upon SARS-COV-2 infection. Studies have demonstrated high-level SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in healthy Africans, which some have attributed to pre-pandemic cross-reactive antibodies. Phased studies can link trends in SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity to transmission waves. This study tracked trends in seropositivity across three West African countries and investigated factors associated with seropositivity, vaccine uptake and attitudes. Methods: Phased serosurveys were conducted across three West African countries: Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Nigeria. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected in peripheral blood using validated immunoassay kits. Sampling periods correlated to {\textquoteleft}Delta{\textquoteright} and {\textquoteleft}Omicron{\textquoteright} waves. The primary outcome was the proportions of each population that have antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Participants{\textquoteright} metadata was obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire. Findings: Participants numbered 20,748 across the 3 countries. Across countries, SARS-CoV-2 IgG seropositivity ranged from 24.1-77.0 %. Seropositivity was higher than in previous Ghanaian {\textquoteleft}Alpha wave{\textquoteright} studies. At all sites, seropositivity increased sharply during the {\textquoteleft}Omicron{\textquoteright} wave, indicating that seropositivity was likely linked to increased transmissions. All sites demonstrated low self-reported vaccination rates, delinking seropositivity and vaccination. There was a significant positive association between seropositivity and age across all sites. Association with other demographic factors was country dependent. Most participants expressed positive opinions of vaccination; negative opinions often reflected misinformation. Significance: This, the largest population-based SARS-CoV-2 seroepidemiology study in Africa, confirms widespread exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection in West Africa, not linked to pre-existing cross-reactivity. This study supports population-level biological protection against severe COVID-19 in West Africa. Funding: The Rockefeller Foundation, UK government Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) and the Agence Fran{\c c}aise de D{\'e}veloppement (AFD).",

keywords = "Seroprevalence, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 in West Africa, COVID-19 Sero-survey, SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Response",

author = "Aniefiok Udoakang and Sanou, {Armel Moumouni} and Kesego Tapela and Owusu, {Irene Amoakoh} and Boateng, {Kyerewaa Akuamoah} and Amole, {Taiwo Gboluwaga} and Johnson Okolie and Musa, {Baba Mayaki} and Bala, {Jamilu Abubakar} and Kazeem Akano and Olayemi, {Ajibade Olufunke} and Daniel Oduro-Mensah and Olivia Achonduh-Atijegbe and Ajayi Nnennaya and Ihere, {Okoro Sylvanus} and Benedict Azuogu and Okechukwu Ukpabi and Ojide, {Kingsley Chiedozie} and Augustine Abu and Moyosoore Osoba and Nicholas Oyejide and Owusu, {Evans Agyapong} and Gloria Amegatcher and Bismark Adade and Sampah, {James Ekow} and George Agyei and Benjamin Boateng and William Oduro-Obeng and Janet Ogoe-Anderson and Amekpordi, {Nicholas Aloba} and Safiatu Alhassan and David Afrifa and Opoku, {Bismark Akwasi} and Onikepe Folarin and Oladele, {Ayodeji Oluwafemi} and Chukwuyem Abejegah and Adedosu, {Akinola Nelson} and Ahmed, {Liasu Adeagbo} and Serme, {Samuel S.} and Maurice Ouattara and Denise Hien and Issa N{\'e}bi{\'e} and Obeng, {Rachael Boateng} and Precious Opurum and Aliyu, {Isah Abubakar} and Fatima Oyawoye and Ayeke, {Dzidzor Yawa} and Ofori, {Michael F.} and Nikiema, {Achille Sindimbasba} and Sow, {Bazoumana Bala Danouma} and Lea Par{\'e}-To{\'e} and Charles Guissou and Bismark Minnah and Gifty Amponsah and Dassah, {Sylvester Donne} and Francis Dzabeng and Abdullahi, {Sharif Alhassan} and Nura Garba and Bala, {Khadija Muhammad} and Zubair, {Rufai Umar} and Haddad, {Mahfuz Muhammad} and Lucas Amenga-Etego and Amuzu, {Dominic Selorm Yao} and Morang{\textquoteright}a, {Collins Misita} and Sarpong, {Kwabena A. N.} and Narkwa, {Patrick W.} and Alphonse Ouedraogo and William Ampofo and Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe and Patrick Kuma-Aboagye and Duedu, {Kwabena Obeng} and James Abugri and Mohamed Mutocheluh and Helegbe, {Gideon K.} and Aryee, {Paul Armah} and James Duah and Peter Yeboah and Reuben Ayivor-Djanie and Yaw Bediako and Abdoulaye Diabat{\'e} and Galadanci, {Hadiza Shehu} and Sodiomon Sirima and Happi, {Christian T.} and Gordon Awandare and Quashie, {Peter Kojo} and Jones Gyamfi",

year = "2023",

month = oct,

day = "9",

doi = "10.2139/ssrn.4593226",

language = "English",

series = "LANGLH-D-23-01530",

type = "WorkingPaper",

}

Udoakang, A, Sanou, AM, Tapela, K, Owusu, IA, Boateng, KA, Amole, TG, Okolie, J, Musa, BM, Bala, JA, Akano, K, Olayemi, AO, Oduro-Mensah, D, Achonduh-Atijegbe, O, Nnennaya, A, Ihere, OS, Azuogu, B, Ukpabi, O, Ojide, KC, Abu, A, Osoba, M, Oyejide, N, Owusu, EA, Amegatcher, G, Adade, B, Sampah, JE, Agyei, G, Boateng, B, Oduro-Obeng, W, Ogoe-Anderson, J, Amekpordi, NA, Alhassan, S, Afrifa, D, Opoku, BA, Folarin, O, Oladele, AO, Abejegah, C, Adedosu, AN, Ahmed, LA, Serme, SS, Ouattara, M, Hien, D, Nébié, I, Obeng, RB, Opurum, P, Aliyu, IA, Oyawoye, F, Ayeke, DY, Ofori, MF, Nikiema, AS, Sow, BBD, Paré-Toé, L, Guissou, C, Minnah, B, Amponsah, G, Dassah, SD, Dzabeng, F, Abdullahi, SA, Garba, N, Bala, KM, Zubair, RU, Haddad, MM, Amenga-Etego, L, Amuzu, DSY, Morang’a, CM, Sarpong, KAN, Narkwa, PW, Ouedraogo, A, Ampofo, W, Asiedu-Bekoe, F, Kuma-Aboagye, P, Duedu, KO, Abugri, J, Mutocheluh, M, Helegbe, GK, Aryee, PA, Duah, J, Yeboah, P, Ayivor-Djanie, R, Bediako, Y, Diabaté, A, Galadanci, HS, Sirima, S, Happi, CT, Awandare, G, Quashie, PK & Gyamfi, J 2023 'Phased Multi-Country Seroepidemiology Study of Over 20000 Individuals In West Africa Reveals the Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Exposure Driven by Delta, Omicron and Omicron Waves' LANGLH-D-23-01530. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4593226

TY - UNPB

T1 - Phased Multi-Country Seroepidemiology Study of Over 20000 Individuals In West Africa Reveals the Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Exposure Driven by Delta, Omicron and Omicron Waves

AU - Udoakang, Aniefiok

AU - Sanou, Armel Moumouni

AU - Tapela, Kesego

AU - Owusu, Irene Amoakoh

AU - Boateng, Kyerewaa Akuamoah

AU - Amole, Taiwo Gboluwaga

AU - Okolie, Johnson

AU - Musa, Baba Mayaki

AU - Bala, Jamilu Abubakar

AU - Akano, Kazeem

AU - Olayemi, Ajibade Olufunke

AU - Oduro-Mensah, Daniel

AU - Achonduh-Atijegbe, Olivia

AU - Nnennaya, Ajayi

AU - Ihere, Okoro Sylvanus

AU - Azuogu, Benedict

AU - Ukpabi, Okechukwu

AU - Ojide, Kingsley Chiedozie

AU - Abu, Augustine

AU - Osoba, Moyosoore

AU - Oyejide, Nicholas

AU - Owusu, Evans Agyapong

AU - Amegatcher, Gloria

AU - Adade, Bismark

AU - Sampah, James Ekow

AU - Agyei, George

AU - Boateng, Benjamin

AU - Oduro-Obeng, William

AU - Ogoe-Anderson, Janet

AU - Amekpordi, Nicholas Aloba

AU - Alhassan, Safiatu

AU - Afrifa, David

AU - Opoku, Bismark Akwasi

AU - Folarin, Onikepe

AU - Oladele, Ayodeji Oluwafemi

AU - Abejegah, Chukwuyem

AU - Adedosu, Akinola Nelson

AU - Ahmed, Liasu Adeagbo

AU - Serme, Samuel S.

AU - Ouattara, Maurice

AU - Hien, Denise

AU - Nébié, Issa

AU - Obeng, Rachael Boateng

AU - Opurum, Precious

AU - Aliyu, Isah Abubakar

AU - Oyawoye, Fatima

AU - Ayeke, Dzidzor Yawa

AU - Ofori, Michael F.

AU - Nikiema, Achille Sindimbasba

AU - Sow, Bazoumana Bala Danouma

AU - Paré-Toé, Lea

AU - Guissou, Charles

AU - Minnah, Bismark

AU - Amponsah, Gifty

AU - Dassah, Sylvester Donne

AU - Dzabeng, Francis

AU - Abdullahi, Sharif Alhassan

AU - Garba, Nura

AU - Bala, Khadija Muhammad

AU - Zubair, Rufai Umar

AU - Haddad, Mahfuz Muhammad

AU - Amenga-Etego, Lucas

AU - Amuzu, Dominic Selorm Yao

AU - Morang’a, Collins Misita

AU - Sarpong, Kwabena A. N.

AU - Narkwa, Patrick W.

AU - Ouedraogo, Alphonse

AU - Ampofo, William

AU - Asiedu-Bekoe, Franklin

AU - Kuma-Aboagye, Patrick

AU - Duedu, Kwabena Obeng

AU - Abugri, James

AU - Mutocheluh, Mohamed

AU - Helegbe, Gideon K.

AU - Aryee, Paul Armah

AU - Duah, James

AU - Yeboah, Peter

AU - Ayivor-Djanie, Reuben

AU - Bediako, Yaw

AU - Diabaté, Abdoulaye

AU - Galadanci, Hadiza Shehu

AU - Sirima, Sodiomon

AU - Happi, Christian T.

AU - Awandare, Gordon

AU - Quashie, Peter Kojo

AU - Gyamfi, Jones

PY - 2023/10/9

Y1 - 2023/10/9

N2 - Background: Africa has appeared spared from severe morbidity and mortality upon SARS-COV-2 infection. Studies have demonstrated high-level SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in healthy Africans, which some have attributed to pre-pandemic cross-reactive antibodies. Phased studies can link trends in SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity to transmission waves. This study tracked trends in seropositivity across three West African countries and investigated factors associated with seropositivity, vaccine uptake and attitudes. Methods: Phased serosurveys were conducted across three West African countries: Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Nigeria. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected in peripheral blood using validated immunoassay kits. Sampling periods correlated to ‘Delta’ and ‘Omicron’ waves. The primary outcome was the proportions of each population that have antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Participants’ metadata was obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire. Findings: Participants numbered 20,748 across the 3 countries. Across countries, SARS-CoV-2 IgG seropositivity ranged from 24.1-77.0 %. Seropositivity was higher than in previous Ghanaian ‘Alpha wave’ studies. At all sites, seropositivity increased sharply during the ‘Omicron’ wave, indicating that seropositivity was likely linked to increased transmissions. All sites demonstrated low self-reported vaccination rates, delinking seropositivity and vaccination. There was a significant positive association between seropositivity and age across all sites. Association with other demographic factors was country dependent. Most participants expressed positive opinions of vaccination; negative opinions often reflected misinformation. Significance: This, the largest population-based SARS-CoV-2 seroepidemiology study in Africa, confirms widespread exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection in West Africa, not linked to pre-existing cross-reactivity. This study supports population-level biological protection against severe COVID-19 in West Africa. Funding: The Rockefeller Foundation, UK government Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

AB - Background: Africa has appeared spared from severe morbidity and mortality upon SARS-COV-2 infection. Studies have demonstrated high-level SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in healthy Africans, which some have attributed to pre-pandemic cross-reactive antibodies. Phased studies can link trends in SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity to transmission waves. This study tracked trends in seropositivity across three West African countries and investigated factors associated with seropositivity, vaccine uptake and attitudes. Methods: Phased serosurveys were conducted across three West African countries: Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Nigeria. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected in peripheral blood using validated immunoassay kits. Sampling periods correlated to ‘Delta’ and ‘Omicron’ waves. The primary outcome was the proportions of each population that have antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Participants’ metadata was obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire. Findings: Participants numbered 20,748 across the 3 countries. Across countries, SARS-CoV-2 IgG seropositivity ranged from 24.1-77.0 %. Seropositivity was higher than in previous Ghanaian ‘Alpha wave’ studies. At all sites, seropositivity increased sharply during the ‘Omicron’ wave, indicating that seropositivity was likely linked to increased transmissions. All sites demonstrated low self-reported vaccination rates, delinking seropositivity and vaccination. There was a significant positive association between seropositivity and age across all sites. Association with other demographic factors was country dependent. Most participants expressed positive opinions of vaccination; negative opinions often reflected misinformation. Significance: This, the largest population-based SARS-CoV-2 seroepidemiology study in Africa, confirms widespread exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection in West Africa, not linked to pre-existing cross-reactivity. This study supports population-level biological protection against severe COVID-19 in West Africa. Funding: The Rockefeller Foundation, UK government Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

KW - Seroprevalence

KW - COVID-19

KW - SARS-CoV-2 in West Africa

KW - COVID-19 Sero-survey

KW - SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Response

U2 - 10.2139/ssrn.4593226

DO - 10.2139/ssrn.4593226

M3 - Preprint

T3 - LANGLH-D-23-01530

BT - Phased Multi-Country Seroepidemiology Study of Over 20000 Individuals In West Africa Reveals the Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Exposure Driven by Delta, Omicron and Omicron Waves

ER -