Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the Mozambican population: a cross-sectional 2 Serologic study in three cities, July-August 2020
Prevalence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Antib; 14(1) (), 2022
Publication year: 2022
Background. The extent of population exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was
uncertain in many African countries during the onset of the pandemic.
Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study and randomly selected and surveyed general population and occupational
groups from 6 July to 24 August 2020, in 3 cities in Mozambique. Anti–SARS-CoV-2–specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) and
immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies were measured using a point-of-care rapid test. The prevalence was weighted for
population (by age, sex, and city) and adjusted for test sensitivity and specificity.
Results. A total of 21 183 participants, including 11 143 from the general population and 10 040 from occupational groups, were
included across all 3 cities. General population seropositivity (IgM or IgG) prevalence was 3.0% (95% confidence interval [CI],
1.0%–6.6%) in Pemba, 2.1% (95% CI, 1.2%–3.3%) in Maputo City, and 0.9% (95% CI, .1%–1.9%) in Quelimane. The prevalence
in occupational groups ranged from 2.8% (95% CI, 1.3%–5.2%) to 5.9% (95% CI, 4.3%–8.0%) in Pemba, 0.3% (95% CI, .0%–
2.2%) to 4.0% (95% CI, 2.6%–5.7%) in Maputo City, and 0.0% (95% CI, .0%–.7%) to 6.6% (95% CI, 3.8%–10.5%) in Quelimane,
and showed variations between the groups tested.
Conclusions. In the first representative COVID-19 serosurveys in Mozambique, in mid-2020, weighted and assay-adjusted
seroprevalence in 3 provincial capitals of anti–SARS-CoV-2 ranged from 0.9% to 3.0%, whereas adjusted prevalence in
occupational groups ranged from 0.0% to 6.6% with variation between groups. Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 was extensive during
the first pandemic wave, and transmission may have been more intense among occupational groups. These data have been of
utmost importance to inform public health intervention to control and respond to the pandemic in Mozambique.