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AuthorSyed, Mohamed Ahmed
AuthorAl Nuaimi, Ahmed Sameer
AuthorA/Qotba, Hamda Abdulla
AuthorNasrallah, Gheyath K
AuthorAlthani, Asmaa A
AuthorYassine, Hadi M
AuthorZainel, Abduljaleel Abdullatif
AuthorKhudadad, Hanan
AuthorMarji, Tamara
AuthorVeettil, Shajitha Thekke
AuthorAl-Jighefee, Hadeel T
AuthorYounes, Salma
AuthorShurrab, Farah
AuthorAl-Sadeq, Duaa W
AuthorAlFehaidi, Al Anoud Saleh
AuthorYfakhroo, Ameena Ibrahim
AuthorAlMesaifri, Meshal Abdulla
AuthorAl Mujalli, Hanan
AuthorAl Abdulla, Samya Ahmad
AuthorAl Kuwari, Mohamed Ghaith
AuthorAzad, Faruk Mohammed
AuthorAl Malki, Badria Ali Mohamed
AuthorAbdulmalik, Mariam Ali
Available date2021-11-24T12:00:15Z
Publication Date2021-07-05
Publication NameBMC Infectious Diseases
Identifierhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-06251-z
CitationSyed, M.A., Al Nuaimi, A.S., A/Qotba, H.A. et al. Epidemiology of SARS-CoV2 in Qatar’s primary care population aged 10 years and above. BMC Infect Dis 21, 645 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-06251-z
IdentifierArticle number: 645
URIhttp://hdl.handle.net/10576/25104
AbstractThere is an urgent need to elucidate the epidemiology of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) and characterize its potential impact. Investing in characterising the SARS-CoV2 will help plan and improve the response to the pandemic. Furthermore, it will help identify the most efficient ways of managing the pandemic, avoiding public health policies and interventions that may be unduly restrictive of normal activity or unnecessarily costly. This paper describes the design and reports findings of a population based epidemiological study undertaken to characterise SARS-CoV2 in Qatar using limited resources in a timely manner. Asymptomatic individuals ≥10 years registered with Qatar's publicly funded primary health provider were eligible. A stratified random sampling technique was utilized to identify the study sample. Participants were invited to an appointment where they completed a questionnaire and provided samples for polymerase chain reaction and Immunoglobulin M and G immunoassay tests. Data collected were analyzed to calculate point and period prevalence by sociodemographic, lifestyle and clinical characteristics. Of 18,918 individuals invited for the study, 2084 participated (response rate 10.8%). The overall point prevalence and period prevalence were estimated to be 1.6% (95% CI 1.1-2.2) and 14.6% (95% CI 13.1-16.2) respectively. Period prevalence of SARS-CoV2 infection was not considerably different across age groups (9.7-19.8%). It was higher in males compared to females (16.2 and 12.7% respectively). A significant variation was observed by nationality (7.1 to 22.2%) and municipalities (6.9-35.3%). The study provides an example of a methodologically robust approach that can be undertaken in a timely manner with limited resources. It reports much-needed epidemiological data about the spread of SARS-CoV2. Given the low prevalence rates, majority of the population in Qatar remains susceptible. Enhanced surveillance must continue to be in place, particularly due to the large number of asymptomatic cases observed. Robust contact tracing and social distancing measures are key to prevent future outbreaks.
SponsorThis study was funded by PHCC. The funders had no role in the design, analysis, interpretation, or writing. The first three authors had full access to all the data had final responsibility for the decision to submit for publication. Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library
Languageen
PublisherBMC
SubjectEpidemiology
Covid-19
SARS-CoV2
Primary care
TitleEpidemiology of SARS-CoV2 in Qatar's primary care population aged 10 years and above
TypeArticle
Volume Number21
dc.accessType Open Access


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