Author/Authors :
Khalagi, Kazem Osteoporosis Research Center - Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute - Tehran University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran , Gharibzadeh, Safoora Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics - Researc Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseas s, Pasteur Institute of Iran - Tehran, Iran , Khalili, Davood Prevention of Metabolic Disorders esearch Center - Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran , Mirab Samiee, Siamak Reference Health Laboratory - Ministry of Health and Medical Education - Tehran, Iran , Hashemi, Mahmoud Departments of I munology - School of Medicine - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran , Aghamohamadi, Saeide Deputy of Health - Ministry of Health and Medical Educa ion - Tehran, Iran , Mir-Mohammad-Ali Roodaki, Maryam Reference Health Laboratory - Ministry of Health and Medical Education - Tehran, Iran , Tayeri, Katayoun National HIV/AIDS care and treatment advisor - Center for Communicable Disease Control - inistry of Health and Medical Education - Tehran, Iran , Namdari Tabar, Hengameh HIV/STI Control Department - Cen er for Communicable Disease Control - Ministry of Health and Medi al Education - Tehran, Iran , Azadmanesh, Kayhan Virology Deportment - Pasteur Instit te of Iran - Tehran, Iran , Tabrizi, Jafar Sadegh Tabriz Health Services Management Research Center - Iranian Center of Excellence in Health Management - Tabriz University of Medical Sciences - Tabri , Iran , Mohammad, Kazem Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciencs - Tehran, Iran , Goudarzi, Samira Department of E idemiology and Bi statistics - Pasteur Institute of Iran - Tehran, Iran , Hajipour, Firoozeh Endocrinology Research Center - Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute - Tehran University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran , Namaki, Saeid Departments of I munology - School of Medicine - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran , Raeisi, Alireza School of Medicie - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences - Shiraz, Iran , Ostovar, Afshin Reference Health Laboratory - Ministry of Health and Medical Education - Tehran, Iran
Abstract :
Background: Serological surveillance of COVID-19 through conducting repetitive population-based surveys can be useful in estimating and monitoring changes in the prevalence of infection across the country. This paper presents the protocol of nationwide population-based surveys of the Iranian COVID-19 Serological Surveillance (ICS) program.
Methods: The target population of the surveys is all individuals ≥6 years in Iran. Stratified random sampling will be used to select participants from those registered in the primary health care electronic record systems in Iran. The strata are the 31 provinces of the country, in which sampling will be done through simple random sampling. The sample size is estimated 858 individuals for each province (except for Tehran province, which is 2574) at the first survey. It will be recalculated for the next surveys based on the findings of the first survey. The participants will be invited by the community health workers to the safe blood sampling centers at the district level. After obtaining written informed consent, 10 mL of venous blood will be taken from the participants. The blood samples will be transferred to selected reference laboratories in order to test IgG and IgM antibodies against COVID-19 using an Iranian SARS-CoV-2 ELISA Kit (Pishtaz Teb). A serologically positive test is defined as a positive IgG, IgM, or both. After adjusting for the measurement error of the laboratory test, nonresponse bias, and sampling design, the prevalence of COVID-19 will be estimated at the provincial and national levels. Also, the approximate incidence rate of infection will be calculated based on the data of both consecutive surveys.
Conclusion: The implementation of these surveys will provide a comprehensive and clear picture of the magnitude of COVID-19 infection and its trend over time for health policymakers at the national and subnational levels.
Keywords :
COVID-19 , Serological , Surveillance , Sero-prevalence , Antibody tests , Survey , Nationwide , Population-based , Iran
