Prevalence of SARS CoV-2 and its Predisposing Factors Among Incoming Travelers at Entebbe International Airport, Uganda: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

The testing for SARS CoV-2 infections at points of entry has been a key strategy to control COVID-19 from entering countries. In order to determine the prevalence of SARS CoV-2 and its predisposing factors among travelers coming to Uganda through Entebbe International Airport from October 2021 to February 2022, a retrospective study was conducted to determine the prevalence of SARS CoV-2 and its predisposing factors at the Entebbe International Airport Health Laboratory. The overall prevalence of SARS CoV-2 obtained from this study was 2.6% (95% CI:0.025 - 0.026). The predisposing factors of SARS CoV-2 infection identified were; arrival of the travelers in weeks when the proportion of the travelers was highest, female gender (OR = 1.1 p < 0.021, 95% CI: 1.011 – 1.140) and being vaccinated against SARS CoV-2 (OR= 2.2 p < 0. 001, 95% CI: 2.107– 2.387). The highest percentage of SARS CoV-2 positive travelers had Critical Threshold (CT) value ranges 30-37 (42.4%; 1,838/4,339) followed by ≤ 29 (40.9%; 1,776/4,339). The prevalence of SARS CoV-2 was highest during weeks of arrival when the numbers of people traveling was at the peak in mid-December and early January. Therefore, prevention and control measures ought to be strengthened during a recurrence of SARS CoV-2 occurs or any other similar respiratory infection. Majority of the travelers had low CT value ranges equivalent to a high viral load, this meant that their infectivity was high and their chances of transmitting the virus to potential contacts with in Uganda was very high resulting in an increase of the prevalence of SARS CoV-2. While SARS CoV-2 vaccination reduces the severity of the disease, it does not prevent infection with the virus and should not be relied on as basis to control infection. Targeted interventions towards infection prevention and control by relevant stakeholders should be maintained in case of recurrence of SARS CoV-2 and other similar respiratory infections in the future such as PCR testing which is highly sensitive as some travelers especially the females who are more likely to be infected with SARS CoV-2 usually present as asymptomatic cases that cannot easily be detected by the Rapid Antigen Tests.