Abstract

Olusegun Ayorinde Babaniyi, Peter Mwaba,Peter Songolo*, Mazyanga Lucy Mazaba-Liwewe ,Idah MweeneNdumba ,Freddie Masaninga,Emmanuel Rudatsikira andSeterSiziya

Zika virus infection is an emerging public health problem in Africa and Asia with potential for global spread. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and correlates for Zika virus infection in Western and North-Western provinces of Zambia. A cross sectional study was conducted in which serum samples were tested for IgG and IgM antibodies against Zika virus. Odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to determine the magnitude of association. Altogether, 3625 participants were recruited of which 46.7% were male and 9.4% were aged <5 years. The prevalence of Zika infection was 6.1%.Age below 5 years and living in houses that were sprayed with insecticide residual spray were protective factors against the infection (AOR= 64% (AOR=0.36, 95% CI [0.18, 0.72]) and AOR=19% (AOR=0.81, 95% CI [0.66, 0.99], respectively). Meanwhile, visiting Angola and living in houses with roofs made of grass were associated with increased risk of infection (AOR=1.42, 95% CI [1.06, 1.90] and AOR=2.03 (95% CI [1.24, 3.33], respectively). Zika virus infection is prevalent in Western and North-Western Provinces of Zambia and should be curtailed through strengthening of diseases surveillance, laboratory diagnostic capacities and clinical management of cases.