SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence among homeless people and shelter workers in Denmark: a nationwide cross-sectional study
Year: 2022
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: People experiencing homelessness (PEH) and associated shelter workers may be at higher risk of infection with "Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2" (SARS-CoV-2). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among PEH and shelter workers in Denmark. DESIGN AND METHODS: In November 2020, we conducted a nationwide cross-sectional seroprevalence study among PEH and shelter workers at 21 recruitment sites in Denmark. The assessment included a point-of-care test for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, followed by a questionnaire. The seroprevalence was compared to that of geographically matched blood donors considered as a proxy for the background population, tested using a total Ig ELISA assay. RESULTS: We included 827 participants in the study, of whom 819 provided their SARS-CoV-2 antibody results. Of those, 628 were PEH (median age 50.8 (IQR 40.9-59.1) years, 35.5% female) and 191 were shelter workers (median age 46.6 (IQR 36.1-55.0) years and 74.5% female). The overall seroprevalence was 6.7% and was similar among PEH and shelter workers (6.8% vs 6.3%, p = 0.87); and 12.2% among all participants who engaged in sex work. The overall participant seroprevalence was significantly higher than that of the background population (2.9%, p < 0.001). When combining all participants who reported sex work or were recruited at designated safe havens, we found a significantly increased risk of seropositivity compared to other participants (OR 2.23, 95%CI 1.06-4.43, p = 0.02). Seropositive and seronegative participants reported a similar presence of at least one SARS-CoV-2 associated symptom (49% and 54%, respectively). INTERPRETATIONS: The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was more than twice as high among PEH and associated shelter workers, compared to the background population. These results could be taken into consideration when deciding in which phase PEH are eligible for a vaccine, as part of the Danish national SARS-CoV-2 vaccination program rollout. FUNDING: TrygFonden and HelseFonden.
Source: BMC Public Health
Authors: Alexandra R Röthlin Eriksen, Kamille Fogh, Rasmus B Hasselbalch, Henning Bundgaard, Susanne D Nielsen, Charlotte S Jørgensen, Bibi FSS Scharff, Christian Erikstrup, Susanne G. Sækmose, Dorte K Holm, Bitten Aagaard, Jonas H Kristensen, Cecilie A Bødker, Jakob Norsk, Pernille Brok Nielsen, Lars Østergaard, Svend Ellermann-Eriksen, Berit Andersen, Henrik Nielsen, Isik S. Johansen, Lothar Wiese, Lone Simonsen, Thea K.Fischer, Fredrik Folke, Freddy Lippert, Sisse R Ostrowski, Steen Ethelberg, Anders Koch, Anne-Marie Vangsted, Tyra Krause, Anders Fomsgaard, Claus Nielsen, Henrik Ullum, Robert Skov, Kasper Iversen
Institutions: Herlev Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Statens Serum Institut, Aarhus University Hospital, Zealand University Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Aalborg University Hospital, Regional Hospital Randers, University of Southern Denmark, Roskilde Sygehus, Roskilde University, Rigshospitalet
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,790
Funders: Helsefonden, TrygFonden, Novo Nordisk Fonden
Awards: G6304241860, G647578384, G7761571866
OpenAlex ID: W4283585451