Laboratory methods involving handling of blood samples will be performed in a class 2 biosafety cabinet. COVID-19 patients, caregivers and health care professionals in reference care centers: (i) to determine cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 contamination in the Burkinabe population using blood samples collected from randomly selected households according to the WHO-recommended protocol; (ii) develop a score to predict severe complications of COVID-19 in persons infected with SARS-CoV-2 using retrospective and prospective data; (iii) perform semi-structured interviews and direct observation on site, to describe and analyze the healthcare pathways and experiences of patients with COVID-19 attending reference care centers, and to identify the perceptions, acceptability and application of preventive strategies among the population. Discussion This study will generate comprehensive data that will contribute to improving COVID-19 response strategies in Burkina Faso. The lessons learned from the management of this epidemic may serve as examples to the country authorities to better design preventive strategies in the case of future epidemics or pandemics. The protocol was approved CP-96486 by the Ministry for Health (N 2020-00952/MS/CAB/INSP/CM) and the Health Research Ethics Committee in Burkina Faso (N 2020-8-140). Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-021-06543-4. Enumeration Area To avoid the design effect (Deff?=?1) in the calculation of the sample size, the sampling method will be two-stage random sampling with a probability proportional to their size in the resident population according to the data from the National Institute of Statistics and Demography survey (INSD). To contact the 17,483 people for inclusion we will randomly choose 160 Enumeration Areas (EA) in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. In the two cities together 160 EA out of 1728 will be selected with a probability proportional to their size. After selection of the EAs, the selection of individuals (second degree), will be done as follows: Complete a census and numbering of all concessions (can include several households), all households and target persons (men and women aged 60 and over, women aged 19C59, men aged 19C59, teenagers aged 15C18 and children aged 10C14?years), Number (from 1 to n) all the targeted residents by category, From each category, 28 residents will then be selected among adults and 14 teenagers from CP-96486 every EA. If a selected participant is usually unavailable or refuses to participate in the study, he/she will be replaced with an individual randomly chosen from the same age and gender group in the same EA and in the same city. If the number of participants to CP-96486 select cannot be reached in an EA, it will be completed with the subsequent individuals in the randomization list. This strategy allows implicit stratification and is easy to perform. It Rabbit Polyclonal to 5-HT-3A simply requires that this sampling frame be sorted geographically before sampling systematically, with a probability to be selected proportional to the size. It also automatically provides a sample that is proportionally distributed among geographic subdivisions in the study area. Furthermore, it will make it easier to find the respondents in the field, since the interviewers will already be in touch with them through the census. CP-96486 Sample collection of teenagers will start at round three, enabling field investigators to obtain parental consent for their children to participate in the study during the first two rounds of data collection. Data collection and management Data collection in the general population will take place at four timepoints, each 21??3?days apart. Blood samples will be drawn by trained and qualified personnel. In each household, the members of the household who accepted to participate will be invited to sign the informed consent form, and CP-96486 complete a questionnaire (Additional file 1) with socio-demographic data, comorbidities, symptoms related to SARS-CoV-2 contamination and exposure, namely: Socio-demographic characteristics: age, profession, marital status, level of education, socio-professional category; Prior medical history: History of cardiovascular and thrombo-embolic disease: arterial hypertension, rhythm disturbances, cardiomyopathy, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism; History of metabolic diseases: diabetes mellitus, kidney failure; History of pulmonary disease: tuberculosis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); Other relevant medical history. Lifestyle habits: tobacco and alcohol consumption; Clinical signs of COVID-19: fever (temperature??38?C), cough, dyspnea, etc.; Exposure to COVID-19: any contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. Persons who complete the questionnaire will be requested to give a blood sample to extract serum for the assessment of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Venous blood samples will be collected at the four different timepoints (Days 0, 21, 42, 63) to enable analysis in the laboratory. Blood will be collected.