Webinar on results of WACCBIP COVID-19 seroprevalence studies in parts of southern Ghana

Starting October 27, 2020 - Ending October 27, 2021 Expired

Members of the University community are hereby invited to a webinar being organized by the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), to share results of seroprevalence studies that were conducted by scientists from WACCBIP and the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research at the University of Ghana, to assess the levels of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in the Greater Accra Region and Kasoa, a large town in the Central Region of Ghana.  

The scientists successfully screened 1305 individuals at three (3) major markets/lorry stations, two (2) major shopping malls, three (3) hospitals and two (2) research institutions involved in COVID-19 work. Participants were screened with a lateral flow type Rapid Diagnostic Test that simultaneously detects IgM and IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. The screening was done from July to September 2020 and the key findings from the investigations are as follows: 

 

1. Overall, 19% of participants (252 out of 1305) tested positive for IgM or IgG or both. 

2. The exposure rate was significantly higher among individuals tested at Markets/Lorry stations (26.9%) compared to those at Shopping Malls (9.4%). 

3. There was no significant difference in exposure rates in Females (19.9%) compared to Males (18.5%). 

4. The 41-60-year age group had the highest exposure rate (27.2%). 

5. By levels of education, individuals with only Basic or no education (26.2%) had a significantly higher exposure rate compared to those with Tertiary level education (13.1%). 

6. Furthermore, the exposure rate was significantly higher in individuals in the Informal employment sector (24.0%) compared to those in the Formal sector (15.0%). 

 

The scientists will discuss the results in detail and place in context what the results mean for Ghana's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2020 

Time: 12:00 p.m. (GMT) 

 

Interested individuals may register to join the webinar here:  

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtdeuqrTwsGNFJAm5ONz6BlsLvEW1ah7cK