Background: Since the detection of first corona virus infection in Bangladesh on 8th March, 2020, it has been spread to the whole country quickly. Though there is lack of proper treatment facility, diagnostic facility, lack of awareness, unwillingness of people to follow the social distance guideline and lack of other containment strategies, the prevalence of COVID-19 infection especially severe and symptomatic infection among people of Bangladesh specially among working people like garment workers, people living in slum areas and rural areas are low. Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the sero-prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody (IgG) among garment workers in Bangladesh. Methods: An observation and cross-sectional study was carried out among 402 garment workers (69.4% female; mean age = 28.9 ± 6.9 years) in Dhaka city. A semi-structured questionnaire including informed consent as well as, socio-demographics and COVID-19 related information, was used to conduct the survey. Likewise, blood samples of all participants were also collected to measure the SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody (IgG). Serum level of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody (IgG) will be assessed by Chemiluminescent immunoassay technique as per instruction of manufacturer. Results: The prevalence of sero-prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody (IgG) was 80.8% which was slightly higher among females compared to male but not significant (82.1% vs. 78.0%, p > 0.05). It was notable that no significant differences were obtained in other socio-demographic information (e.g., age, education, marital status, residence, and economic status). Conclusions: The findings reflect that the SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody (IgG) was more prevalent among garment workers in Bangladesh. It may be due to the virus itself, genetic factor of virus, people and presence of preexisting immunity specially COVID-19 specific antibody due to previous cross infections with other corona viruses in Bangladesh.
Abu Syed Md. Mosaddek is currently serving as Professor & Head of the Department of Pharmacology, Uttara Adhunik Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh and have gained extensive experience in teaching to undergraduate medical students. Also working as an examiner of undergraduate and post-graduate medical academic courses. Recently has been appointed as a member of the WHO Snakebite Envenoming Roster of Experts. Mosaddek obtained his M.B.B.S. degree from Rajshahi Medical College in 1995 and also completed his M. Phil degree from Rajshahi University on Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics in 2006. Mosaddek is actively involved in research on Antimicrobial Resistance, Pharmacovigilance, human genetic, Clinical Trials of drugs on human in Bangladesh. He has total 32 research publications in reputed different journals. He is a member of American Microbiological Society and One Health Bangladesh Secretariat, IEDCR, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Familiar to deliver scientific talk in domestic and international settings. Fluent in English and Bangla.
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