Seroprevalence of SARS-Cov-2 Virus Infection In Kermanshah, Iran: A Population-based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a general population from Kermanshah province, Iran. Methods: The present study was a population-based cross-sectional design conducted in Kermanshah province in 2020. Sampling was performed in a multi-stage process, and 1967 participants were considered, and also 174 interviewers were assigned to collect data online. Then, 5 mL of blood sample was taken from every participant. The blood samples were centrifuged with the ELISA method to detect SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG and IgM antibodies in serum samples. Seropositive prevalence was adjusted by means of survey analysis. Case fatality rate (CFR) and infection fatality rate (IFR) were estimated. Results: A total of 1967 people from 14 cities of the province participated in the study. The mean age of participants was 35.7±16.9, and 50.4% were female. The lowest and highest seroprevalence was found in the cities of Paveh (2.3% [0.3- 4.2]) and Harsin (61.6% [54.7–68.5]), respectively. The CFR and IFR in men and women were 3.4 vs. 3.3 and 0.1 vs. 0.3. The aged 60 years or older had the highest CFR and IFR with 11.2 and 3.7%, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and IFR among the general population of Kermanshah province was 18.3 and 0.3%, respectively. The results of this study can assist the policymaker in assessing risk factors, and transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in a population and implementing preventive and control interventions.