Browsing by Author "Otindo, Agnes Muhonja"

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    Seroprevalence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG and COVID19 Vaccine Uptake in Healthy Volunteers in Nairobi, Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Study
    (Frontiers in Virology, 2024-11) Otindo, Agnes Muhonja; Ndombi, Eric M.; Theuri, Martin; Muturi, Margaret; Thamaini, Peris; Ogutu, James; Onsongo, Lister; Madete, June K.; Ofula, Victor; Gitau, Samuel; Mwangi, Gladys; Okemo, Paul
    Introduction: Seroprevalence of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (anti-SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in the postvaccination period in Kenya remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG and evaluate Covid-19 vaccination uptake in a university setting in Nairobi. Methods: This cross-sectional study assayed serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. A structured questionnaire was used to determine vaccine uptake, vaccine hesitancy and reasons for hesitancy. Results: A total of 189 participants were enrolled (median age, 21 years; female, 50.8%). The seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 was 12.7% for IgM and 87.8% for IgG. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers were higher among the vaccinated vs. nonvaccinated individuals (p < 0.001, U = 2817.5), females vs. males (p = 0.024, U = 3616), and those vaccinated ≤ 6 months before the study vs. those vaccinated >1 year earlier (p = 0.002, H = 12.359). The vaccination hesitancy rate was 43.4% and the underlying reasons included mistrust (22.4%), health concerns (19.7%), and lack of information (18.4%). Discussion: The high seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG is an indication of high exposure to SARS-CoV-2 either through natural infection or through vaccination. The high vaccine hesitancy noted necessitates community engagement, and public education to dispel myths and misinformation prior to roll out of new vaccines and other health interventions.
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    Vaccination Status, Anti-SARS- SARS-COV-2 IGM and IGG Seroprevalence, and Factors Influencing Vaccination Intentions of Participants from Kenyatta University Community in Nairobi City County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2025-10) Otindo, Agnes Muhonja
    The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic catalyzed unprecedented global public-health action and vaccine innovation to control the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Despite broad vaccine availability, inequities in distribution and variable immune responses continue to impede global containment, particularly in developing countries such as Kenya. This cross-sectional study employed a purposive sampling approach to examine the relationship between vaccination status and the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies among 189 participants aged ≥ 18 years within the Kenyatta University community. Demographic, clinical, and vaccination data were obtained using a structured questionnaire, and serum antibody levels were quantified through Sandwich ELISA. Statistical analyses included the Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis H tests at a 95 % confidence level. Vaccinated participants demonstrated significantly higher median IgG titers than unvaccinated individuals (U = 2817.5, p < 0.001, 95 % CI [1580–3020]), confirming more robust vaccine-induced humoral responses. Conversely, IgG levels declined progressively with increasing time since the last vaccination (H = 12.359, p = 0.002), indicating antibody waning. IgM titers showed no significant variation by vaccination status (U = 4172, p =0.564). Vaccine uptake remained suboptimal, with 43.4 % (82/189) unvaccinated. Among these, 22.4 % cited mistrust in vaccine efficacy under the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 3C Model “confidence” domain as the main driver of hesitancy. The findings affirm that vaccination elicits markedly higher and more durable antibody response than natural infection but highlight the need for booster programs to sustain immunity. To bridge hesitancy-related gaps, the study recommends targeted community engagement, transparent risk-communication strategies, and integration of routine serosurveillance to inform adaptive immunization policies. These data provide critical empirical evidence for optimizing Kenya’s post-pandemic vaccination strategies and enhancing population-level protection against SARS-CoV-2.