Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Among Incarcerated Adult Men in Quebec, Canada, 2021

Background People in prison are at increased risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We examined the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and associated carceral risk factors among incarcerated adult men in Quebec, Canada. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional seroprevalence study in 2021 across 3 provincial prisons, representing 45% of Quebec's incarcerated male provincial population. The primary outcome was SARS-CoV-2 antibody seropositivity (Roche Elecsys serology test). Participants completed self-administered questionnaires on sociodemographic, clinical, and carceral characteristics. The association of carceral variables with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was examined using Poisson regression models with robust standard errors. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. Results Between 19 January 2021 and 15 September 2021, 246 of 1100 (22%) recruited individuals tested positive across 3 prisons (range, 15%-27%). Seropositivity increased with time spent in prison since March 2020 (aPR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.53-3.07 for all vs little time), employment during incarceration (aPR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.28-2.11 vs not), shared meal consumption during incarceration (with cellmates: aPR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.08-1.97 vs alone; with sector: aPR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.03-1.74 vs alone), and incarceration post-prison outbreak (aPR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.69-3.18 vs pre-outbreak). Conclusions The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among incarcerated individuals was high and varied among prisons. Several carceral factors were associated with seropositivity, underscoring the importance of decarceration and occupational safety measures, individual meal consumption, and enhanced infection prevention and control measures including vaccination during incarceration. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) seroprevalence was high among incarcerated adult men in Quebec, Canada. Several carceral factors were associated with seropositivity, underscoring decarceration and infection prevention and control measures such as vaccination in preventing future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks.

Automated summary

The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was high among incarcerated adult men in Quebec, Canada, and varied among prisons. Carceral factors such as time spent in prison, employment during incarceration, shared meal consumption, and post-prison outbreak incarceration were associated with seropositivity, emphasizing the importance of decarceration and infection prevention and control measures including vaccination.