Sociodemographic characteristics and risk factors related to SARS-CoV-2 infection in Luanda, Angola

PLoS One. 2021 Mar 25;16(3):e0249249. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249249. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the characteristics related to SARS-CoV-2 in Luanda, Angola. A total of 622 individuals were screened for SARS-CoV-2 from January to September 2020. Chi-square and logistic regression were used to identify the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and SARS-CoV-2. Of the 622 tested, 14.3% tested positive. The infection rate was the same for both genders (14.3%). Individuals ≥40 years old, from non-urbanized areas, and healthcare professionals had a higher frequency of infection. The risk of infection was very high in individuals ≥60 years old (AOR: 23.3, 95% CI: 4.83-112), in women (AOR: 1.24, 95% CI: 0.76-2.04), in Luanda (AOR: 7.40, 95% CI: 1.64-33.4), and healthcare professionals (AOR: 1.27, 95% CI: 0.60-2.71), whereas a low risk was observed in individuals from urbanized areas (AOR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.26-0.75). Our results suggest that Angolan authorities should implement a greater effort in non-urbanized areas and among healthcare professionals since when these individuals presented any indication for a COVID-19 test, such as fever/cough/myalgia, they were more likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 than having some other cause for symptoms.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Angola
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis*
  • COVID-19 / pathology
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • COVID-19 Testing
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Demography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Risk Factors
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

The authors received no specific funding for this work.