Sero-surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody (IgG) among garment workers in Bangladesh

Abstract

Abstract Since the first detected COVID-19 case in Bangladesh on March 8, 2020, the virus spread rapidly across the country. Despite challenges such as limited healthcare facilities, diagnostic resources, and public awareness, the prevalence of severe symptomatic COVID-19 infections among Bangladeshi working populations, including garment workers, has remained relatively low. This study aimed to determine the sero-prevalence of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibodies among Bangladeshi garment workers. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 402 garment workers (69.4% female; mean age = 28.9 ± 6.9 years) in Dhaka. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic and COVID-19-related data. Blood samples were analyzed for SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG using a Chemiluminescent Immunoassay. The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibodies among garment workers was 80.8% (95% CI: 77.1–84.3). No significant differences were observed based on sex, age, marital status, residence, or economic status. Seropositivity was higher among those with RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 (96.4%) compared to those without confirmation (79.7%), though the difference was not statistically significant ( p  = 0.054). A significant association was found between comorbid conditions (hypertension, diabetes, asthma) and lower seropositivity (53.3% vs. 81.9%, p  = 0.015). No significant differences were observed in seropositivity across age, education, marital status, residence, or economic status. High seroprevalence suggests widespread exposure among garment workers, potentially due to occupational factors or preexisting immunity from prior coronavirus infections. Future studies should assess long-term immunity and its implications.