The presence of Covid-19 antibody is higher among the residents of slums than adjacent low-to-middle-income non-slum areas, suggesting that the people of these areas were infected more with the deadly virus.
A study, carried out by icddr,b between October 2020 and February 2021 among 3,220 people living in slums and adjacent non-slum areas in Dhaka and Chattogram cities, revealed the above information.
The main objective of the study, titled ‘Drivers of Covid-19 in Slums and Non-slum Areas of Dhaka and Chattogram’, was to ascertain the seroprevalence of Covid -19 among slum and non-slum dwellers, and identify probable risk factors.
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According to the study, the overall seroprevalence positivity among the participants was 68%, while the rate was 72% among people living in slums and 62% among residents of non-slum areas.
The seropositivity was similar across adults (70%) and children (65.5%). The seroprevalence was higher in females (70.6%) than in males (66%).
Higher seroprevalence was found in individuals with fewer years of education, diabetes, overweight, and hypertension.
Lower seroprevalence was found in individuals who frequently washed hands, did not put fingers on the face/in the nose, have been vaccinated with BCG, and carried out moderate physical activities.
The study led to two conclusion — the overall seropositivity was higher in Dhaka than in Chittagong, and estimated SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence was higher in slums than in the adjacent low-to-middle-income non- slum areas, according to a media release.
Source: United News of Bangladesh