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
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Date
2025-10
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
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.
Description
A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (Immunology Option) in the School of Health Sciences of Kenyatta University, October 2025.
Supervisor
1. Dr. Eric Ndombi (Ph.D)-Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology
Kenyatta University
2. Dr. Muturi Margaret (Ph.D)-Department of Medical Laboratory Science