Seroprevalence of Influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 Infection and Risk Factors Associated in Pikine, Dakar Region, Senegal

Sylvain Paquet, Anta Tal-Dia,

Abstract

There is lack of data describing the A (H1N1) pdm09 virus pandemic in Africa. In 2011, we carried out a crosssectional study that aimed to estimate the prevalence of A (H1N1) pdm09 serology in the general population of Pikine, in the region of Dakar, Senegal. 2669 persons from 347 households were tested for A (H1N1) pdm09 using a hemagglutination inhibition test (threshold of 1/80). The general seroprevalence was of 49,0%. Our result showed a pronounced heterogeneity according to neighborhood (16,7%-71%). Multilevel analysis showed that “covering one’s mouth while coughing” was the only variable related to a reduction of A (H1N1) pdm09 infection (OR=0.50 (0.25- 0.98)). Additionally, variance analysis showed significant effects of neighborhood and household. In conclusion, this study showed intense circulation of the A (H1N1) pdm09 virus among the general population in Pikine. The «Neighborhood» and «household» effects identified require elucidation in order to understand the epidemiology of this epidemic.

Relevant Publications in Journal of Infectious Disease and Pathology