TITLE:
Outcome of Symptom-Based RT-PCR Testing for SARS-CoV-2: Experience from a Large Public Testing Centre in Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Aigbe Gregory Ohihoin, Kazeem Adewale Osuolale, Patrick Azuka Okwuraiwe, Adesola Zaidat Musa, Ayorinde Babatunde James, Chika Kingsley Onwuamah, Olufemi Samuel Amoo, Joseph Ojonugwa Shaibu, Fehintola Ige, Esther Ngozi Ohihoin, Emelda Chukwu, Ngozi Mirabel Otuonye, Tajudeen Bamidele, Adeola Olukosi, Olusola Ajibaye, Yekeen Raheem, David Oladele, Agatha Nkiru David, Babatunde Adewale, Rosemary Audu, Oliver Ezechi, Nkiruka Nnonyelum Odunukwe, Richard Adegbola, Babatunde Lawal Salako
KEYWORDS:
SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, Symptoms, RT-PCR, Nigeria
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Infectious Diseases,
Vol.12 No.4,
December
9,
2022
ABSTRACT: Background: Access to testing for SARS-CoV-2 in Nigeria is still highly restricted. Only patients who are symptomatic for SARS-CoV-2 are selected for testing. This pattern of testing will miss a large proportion of individuals with the infection who are asymptomatic and presymptomatic. This study reports the experience of a symptom-based study from a large testing centre in Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study, reviewing data collected from respondents presenting at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) modified drive-through center for COVID-19 test between the period March 31st and August 31st, 2020 were included in the analysis. Results: A total of 9891 participants were recruited into the study and 2465 participants (24.9%) had a positive PCR result for SARS-CoV-2. The majority of the respondents were above 18 years old, n = 9163 (93.4%). The average age of the respondents was 36.7 years (sd 13.8 years). The age of the participants has a significant effect on SARS-CoV-2 status (AOR = 1.009, CI, 1.005 to 1.012, p = 0.0001). There was a male preponderance, n = 5652 (57.6%). The odds of having a positive status for SARS-CoV-2 were 0.9 times lower for female participants. The majority of the respondents had a history of travel, n = 6788 (68.6%). Cough was the commonest symptom, n = 1062 (10.7%) followed by fever, n = 979 (9.9%). The mortality rate was 0.1%. Among the participants with comorbidity, 31 (51.7%) had positive results for SARS-CoV-2 while 29 (48.3%) had negative results. Conclusion: Symptom-based approach to testing for SARS-CoV-2 in Nigeria revealed a high positivity rate, while mortality from those tested in the study is low. Age and gender appear to play a significant role in the dynamics of the disease.