Research Article
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.