PRESEKCOV preparatory mission to Guinea (15 to 19 March 2021)

Source: RKI

A group of RKI scientists (ZIG 4, ZIG 2 and FG14) traveled from 15 to 19 March 2021 to Conakry, Guinea as part of the preparations for the project PRESEKCOV (Prevalence, Seroprevalence and KAP study among health care workers in Guinea and Madagascar).

PRESEKCOV is a cross-sectional study with the aim of investigating the prevalence of COVID-19 and the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among health care workers (HCWs) in Guinea and Madagascar. The purpose of this study is to further explore the knowledge, attitude, perception, and IPC-practices towards SARS-CoV-2 among HCWs in these two countries to identify risk factors for contracting the disease. This information will give us an insight into the effectiveness of hospital mitigation strategies and set the basis for future guidance in establishing biosafety measures in health care facilities.

This mission included laboratory trainings in diagnostics of SARS-CoV-2 by PCR and ELISA with our colleagues of the Centre de Recherche en Virologie - Laboratoire des fièvres hémorragiques en Guinée as well as delivering laboratory materials and reagents to perform the different tasks.  The team also ensured that the various protocols were put in practice. Together with the epidemiological Team, the sampling strategy was set up and an activity plan to prepare the next steps was put in place.

In addition, several preparatory and organizational meetings were conducted with the participation of our Guinean partners from the local Ministry of Health and scientists from the Centre de Recherche en Virologie.

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