Investigator(s)
| WHO Technical Officer |
Mohammad Mostafa Zaman WHO Bangladesh Mohammad Mostafa Zaman 
|
| Principal Investigator |
Tahmina Shirin Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control & Research (IEDCR) Tahmina Shirin
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Meerjady Sabrina Flora Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Meerjady Sabrina Flora
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
ASM Alamgir Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control & Research (IEDCR) ASM Alamgir
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Mahbubur Rahman Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control & Research (IEDCR) Mahbubur Rahman
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Ahmed Nawser Alam Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control & Research (IEDCR) Ahmed Nawser Alam
|
Title(s) and abstract
| Scientific title | Population-based seroepidemiological investigations for coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection in Bangladesh |
| Public title | Immunity against coronavirus disease in Bangladeshi people |
| Background | The first case of COVID-19 was reported by the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) on behalf of the Government of Bangladesh on 8 March 2020. As of 22 February 2022, a total of 1,942,680 confirmed cases had been identified, including 29,033 deaths. COVID-19 vaccination was launched by Her Excellency Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 27 January with nationwide roll out from 7 February 2021. The country is seeking to inoculate 80% of its population of around 170 million, with each person getting two doses administered eight weeks apart. As of 3 April 2022, 77.9% of the population received 1st dose COID-19 vaccine, 69.3% received two complete doses and booster dose was given to 6.2% of the population. |
| Objectives | Primary objectives 1. To measure the seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 virus in the general population, in order to ascertain the cumulative population immunity at the time of survey; 2. To estimate the fraction of symptomatic and asymptomatic or subclinical infections in the population; and 3. To estimate vaccine induced immune response in the population. Secondary objectives 4. To determine risk factors for infection by comparing the exposures of infected and non-infected individuals. 5. To contribute to determine the case fatality ratio 6. To contribute to determine population level vaccination coverage |
| Study Methods | The study is cross-sectional nationwide household survey in people aged >1 year in Bangladesh. Considering a seroprevalence of 30.4% and 95% confidence level with 5.0% absolute precision of the prevalence and a design effect of 2.0, non-response rate 13%, and 2 reporting domains (urban/ rural or man/ woman etc.) and 4 age groups the minimum sample size is 5,995. The final adjusted minimum sample size is 6, 240. Participants will be selected through a three-stage stratified cluster sampling process. The first stage of selection by probability proportional to size will be based on the eight administrative divisions. In the second stage of selection, a fixed number of 30 households will be systematically selected from each of the sampled PSU of both urban and rural areas. One household member (aged >1 year) from the selected household will be selected as the Tertiary Sampling Unit. Information on probability of selection will be collected for weighting purpose before analysis of the data. All adult study respondents will provide informed written consent. Informed written assents will be taken from children aged 12-17 years. Consent from parents/ guardians for respective children will be undertaken. Data will be collected by 26 teams each having six trained members using digital data collection tools. The questionnaire is adapted from globally used WHO Protocol. Weighted seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 with adjustments for the kits will be done. The 95% confidence intervals for the test-adjusted estimates will be calculated. Odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals will be obtained using logistic regression analysis to identify the factors associated with seroprevalence. Multiple logistic regression models will be applied on weighted data. |
| Expected outcomes and use of results | Results of the study will be shared with WHO and other relevant stakeholders. IEDCR, being the focal institute for COVID-19 surveillance and research will inform DGHS, MoHFW and other policy makers for policy guidance related to impact of the disease to the community and for any policy brief for use of serological testing on extended level. Results of the study will be presented through national/international seminar/conferences. Manuscripts for peer reviewed journals will be prepared. |
| Keywords | COVID-19, Seroprevalence, Bangladesh, Pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 |
Research Details
| Student research | No |
| Start Date | 12-Jun-2022 |
| End Date | 11-Oct-2022 |
| Key Implementing Institution | Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control & Reseach |
| Multi-country research | No |
| Nationwide research | Yes |
| Research Domain(s) | Communicable Disease Research |
| Research field(s) | COVID-19 |
| Involves human subjects | Yes |
| Population-Based Survey | |
| Data Collection | Primary data |
| Proposal reviewed by other Committee | Final decision available |