Seroprevalence and demographic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2-infected residents of Kibera informal settlement during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nairobi, Kenya: a cross-sectional study

This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among residents of Kibera informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya, before widespread vaccination. Conducted between October 2019 and August 2021, it involved 438 participants aged one year and above who were asymptomatic at the time of testing. The study found a high seropositivity rate of 84.5%, with no significant differences across age, sex, or underlying health conditions. The only significant predictor of seropositivity was having experienced COVID-19-like symptoms in the previous 16 months. Despite high exposure, morbidity was low, aligning with other findings in similar settings. Factors such as Africa’s demographic profile, limited testing, healthcare access, and possible genetic influences may explain this trend, warranting further investigation.

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