Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Baja California, Mexico: Findings from a community-based survey in February 2021 in the Mexico-United States border

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000820
• Publication Date: 2022-08-02T17:55:50Z
• Authors: Oscar E. Zazueta; Richard S. Garfein; J. Oggun Cano-Torres; César A. Méndez-L...; Timothy C. Rodwell; Raquel Muñiz-Salazar; Diego F. Ovalle-M...; Neiba G. Yee; Idanya Rubí Seraf...; Susana González-R...; Jesus Rene Machad...; Lucy E. Horton; Steffanie A. Stra...; Ruth Rodríguez; Linda Hill; Ietza Bojórquez-C...
• Keywords: Seroprevalence

Between March 2020 and February 2021, the state of Baja California, Mexico, which borders United States, registered 46,118 confirmed cases COVID-19 with a mortality rate 238.2 deaths per 100,000 residents. Given limited access to testing, population prevalence SARS-CoV-2 infection is unknown. The objective this study estimate seroprevalence real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in three most populous cities California prior scale-up national vaccination campaign. Probabilistic three-stage clustered sampling was used conduct population-based household survey residents five years older cities. RT-PCR testing performed on nasopharyngeal swabs seropositivity determined by IgG antibody using fingerstick blood samples. An interviewer-administered questionnaire assessed participants’ knowledge, attitudes, preventive practices regarding COVID-19. In total, 1,126 individuals (unweighted sample) were surveyed across Overall 7.8% (95% CI 5.5–11.0) 21.1% 17.4–25.2). There no association between border crossing past 6 months (unadjusted OR 0.40, 95%CI 0.12–1.30). While face mask use frequent hand washing common among participants, quarantine or social isolation at home prevent not. Regarding willingness, 30.4% 24.4–3 7.1) participants said they very unlikely get vaccinated. high active end first year pandemic, combined its low considerable proportion vaccine hesitancy, important area along Mexico-United States faces major challenges terms health literacy uptake, need be further explored, implications for restrictions future epidemics.