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Wang J, Fu L, Meng H, Wu K, Han B, Lin Y, Zhang Y, Wang W, Zhang X, Zhang M, Wang B, Zhang W, Zou H, Qi X. Knowledge, concerns, and vaccine acceptance related to Mpox (Monkeypox) among university students in North and Northeast China: An online cross-sectional study. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2024; 20:2339922. [PMID: 38639480 PMCID: PMC11037288 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2339922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The growing number of Mpox cases in China has posed a challenge to public health. The prevalence of men who have sex with men behaviors among students has been consistently increasing each year in China, accompanied by a high frequency of unprotected anal sex. As crowded places, schools are highly likely to cause an Mpox outbreak among students through long-term close contact. Understanding university students' perceptions about Mpox and willingness to vaccinate play a vital role in implementing preventive measures in schools. This study aimed to assess knowledge, concerns, and vaccine acceptance toward Mpox among university students in North and Northeast China. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 3831 university students from seven universities in North and Northeast China between September 10 and September 25, 2023. This study found a relative insufficiency in Mpox knowledge among university students (71.60%), with less than half expressing concern about the Mpox outbreak (39.57%), and the majority exhibiting a positive attitude to vaccination (76.30%). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that a good knowledge level was associated with age, study discipline, education level, and a high level of concern about Mpox. Male, elderly, or highly educated participants had a low level of concern about Mpox. Participants with a high level of knowledge toward Mpox were more likely to have the vaccination willingness. This study might help governments and schools to understand students' Mpox perceptions and vaccination intentions, enabling them to implement effective measures in addressing the issue of inadequate understanding regarding Mpox among university students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Wang
- Epidemiology and Endemic Disease Control Section, Chaoyang District Center for Diseases Prevention and Control of Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Leiwen Fu
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Han Meng
- Epidemiology and Endemic Disease Control Section, Chaoyang District Center for Diseases Prevention and Control of Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Ke Wu
- Epidemiology and Endemic Disease Control Section, Chaoyang District Center for Diseases Prevention and Control of Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Baihui Han
- Epidemiology and Endemic Disease Control Section, Chaoyang District Center for Diseases Prevention and Control of Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Lin
- Epidemiology and Endemic Disease Control Section, Chaoyang District Center for Diseases Prevention and Control of Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Ye Zhang
- Epidemiology and Endemic Disease Control Section, Chaoyang District Center for Diseases Prevention and Control of Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Health Care Department, University of International Business and Economics Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohe Zhang
- Community Center, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Prevention and Health Care, Beijing University of Technology Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Bingyi Wang
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weijie Zhang
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Huachun Zou
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Xiao Qi
- Epidemiology and Endemic Disease Control Section, Chaoyang District Center for Diseases Prevention and Control of Beijing, Beijing, China
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Doan DA, Nguyen TTX, Le GB, Phuong TL, Nguyen PL, Dinh DX. Knowledge and attitudes of medical and pharmacy university students regarding monkeypox: a multicenter, cross-sectional study in Vietnam. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2024; 24:807. [PMID: 39075413 PMCID: PMC11285122 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-024-05805-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In May 2022, monkeypox (mpox) suddenly reappeared and rapidly spread worldwide. This global outbreak was a public health emergency of international concern. This study investigated Vietnamese medical and pharmacy university students' knowledge and attitudes towards mpox. METHODS This online cross-section survey was administered among students in four universities using a convenience sampling method. A semi-structured questionnaire was shared among students via a Google Forms link (quick-response code) in university amphitheaters at recess. Frequency (percentage) and mean (standard division) were used for descriptive statistics. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with students' mpox knowledge and attitudes. A p-value < 0.001 was considered statistical significance. RESULTS A total of 1,848 students participated in this study (including 1,030 medical students and 818 pharmacy students). Their common sources for seeking mpox/health information included the Internet (89.7%) and mass media (64.2%). Students' average knowledge and attitude scores were 11.542 ± 3.910 (range: 0-23) and 30.301 ± 3.738 (range: 9-45), respectively. The average knowledge score of pharmacy students (12.139 ± 3.545) was significantly higher than that of medical students (11.067 ± 4.118) (p < 0.001). The average attitude score of the former (30.454 ± 3.787) was comparatively higher than that of the latter (30.181 ± 3.696), but this difference was insignificant (p = 0.111). Factors significantly associated with students' mpox knowledge and/or attitudes were their sex, age, year of study, residence, major, grade point average, type of university, seeking mpox information in the past, and using reliable sources to seek health information (p < 0.001). A positive correlation existed between students' knowledge and attitude scores (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Students' knowledge about mpox was relatively poor, while their attitudes were comparatively positive. Universities and relevant authorities should focus on the above factors and use multiple platforms and channels of communication to guarantee that trustworthy information about mpox can reach as many students as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dung Anh Doan
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Phenikaa University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thuy Thi Xuan Nguyen
- Department of Pharmacy, Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy, Da Nang, Vietnam
| | - Giang Ba Le
- Faculty of Public Health, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
| | | | | | - Dai Xuan Dinh
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Management and Economics, Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi, Vietnam.
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Mohapatra RK, Singh PK, Branda F, Mishra S, Kutikuppala LVS, Suvvari TK, Kandi V, Ansari A, Desai DN, Alfaresi M, Kaabi NAA, Fares MAA, Garout M, Halwani MA, Alissa M, Rabaan AA. Transmission dynamics, complications and mitigation strategies of the current mpox outbreak: A comprehensive review with bibliometric study. Rev Med Virol 2024; 34:e2541. [PMID: 38743385 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
As the mankind counters the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), it simultaneously witnesses the emergence of mpox virus (MPXV) that signals at global spread and could potentially lead to another pandemic. Although MPXV has existed for more than 50 years now with most of the human cases being reported from the endemic West and Central African regions, the disease is recently being reported in non-endemic regions too that affect more than 50 countries. Controlling the spread of MPXV is important due to its potential danger of a global spread, causing severe morbidity and mortality. The article highlights the transmission dynamics, zoonosis potential, complication and mitigation strategies for MPXV infection, and concludes with suggested 'one health' approach for better management, control and prevention. Bibliometric analyses of the data extend the understanding and provide leads on the research trends, the global spread, and the need to revamp the critical research and healthcare interventions. Globally published mpox-related literature does not align well with endemic areas/regions of occurrence which should ideally have been the scenario. Such demographic and geographic gaps between the location of the research work and the endemic epicentres of the disease need to be bridged for greater and effective translation of the research outputs to pubic healthcare systems, it is suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjan K Mohapatra
- Department of Chemistry, Government College of Engineering, Keonjhar, Odisha, India
| | - Puneet K Singh
- School of Biotechnology, Campus-11, KIIT Deemed-to-be-University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Francesco Branda
- Unit of Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Snehasish Mishra
- School of Biotechnology, Campus-11, KIIT Deemed-to-be-University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | | | - Tarun K Suvvari
- Department of Medicine, Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Venkataramana Kandi
- Department of Microbiology, Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Karimnagar, Telangana, India
| | - Azaj Ansari
- Department of Chemistry, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, Haryana, India
| | - Dhruv N Desai
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mubarak Alfaresi
- Department of Microbiology, National Reference Laboratory, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nawal A Al Kaabi
- College of Medicine and Health Science, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mona A Al Fares
- Department of Internal Medicine, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Garout
- Department of Community Medicine and Health Care for Pilgrims, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad A Halwani
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Al Baha University, Al Baha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alissa
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali A Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Haripur, Pakistan
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Yu L, Shen Y, Liu M, Ma J, Long J, Zheng D. Evaluation of monkeypox knowledge and attitudes among Chinese medical students. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:745. [PMID: 38459436 PMCID: PMC10921768 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18259-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus and is increasingly recognized as a serious public health concern worldwide. Our aim was to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of Chinese medical students regarding monkeypox. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among 8,897 college students from China. An e-questionnaire was used to collect data on knowledge (17 items), attitudes (12 items), and baseline criteria. The relationships between a range of factors and knowledge and attitudes were studied using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS A total of 79.33% of the study participants were female, 89.10% were of Han ethnicity, 72.50% were from rural areas, 50.39% were in their first year, and 80.65% were medical majors. A total of 50.88% had good knowledge of monkeypox, and 57.11% had a positive attitude towards monkeypox knowledge. Univariate analysis revealed that origin and major were the factors affecting the knowledge level of monkeypox among participants. Rural students had more knowledge of monkeypox than urban students, and nonmedical students had greater awareness of monkeypox than did medical students. Moreover, sex and grade were the factors influencing participants' attitudes towards monkeypox; men had more positive attitudes than women did, and senior students had more positive attitudes than junior students did. Multivariate analysis revealed that major and the origin of the students independently influenced the monkeypox knowledge of Chinese medical students, while sex, grade and monkeypox knowledge were significantly related to attitudes towards monkeypox. CONCLUSION This study revealed that nearly half of the Chinese medical students had good knowledge and a positive attitude towards monkeypox. Student origin and major independently influenced the knowledge of Chinese medical students of monkeypox, while sex, grade and knowledge were independently related to the attitudes of Chinese medical students towards monkeypox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliang Yu
- Chongqing Three Gorges Medical College, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Shen
- Chongqing Three Gorges Medical College, Chongqing, China
| | - Min Liu
- Chongqing Three Gorges Medical College, Chongqing, China
| | - Junchun Ma
- Wanzhou District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiang Long
- Chongqing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing, China
| | - Daikun Zheng
- Chongqing Three Gorges Medical College, Chongqing, China.
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Das SK, Bhattarai A, Paudel K, Bhusal S, Shah S, Timsina S, Subedi A, Niroula S, Alshahrani NZ, Sah S, Padhi BK, Barboza JJ, Rodriguez-Morales AJ, Salas-Matta LA, Bonilla-Aldana DK, Sah R. Socio-demographic determinants of the knowledge of Monkeypox Virus among the general public: a cross-sectional study in a Tertiary Care Center in Nepal. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:295. [PMID: 38448821 PMCID: PMC10916306 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09184-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is the causative agent of monkeypox's zoonotic infection and was declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO). Studies from different countries have shown insufficient knowledge among the general public on MPXV. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of the general public of Nepal on MPXV. METHODS Three hundred people were interviewed in person in October 2022, and 282 complete responses were recorded. The questionnaire related to the knowledge of MPXV was derived from a previous study conducted among the general population of Saudi Arabia. Twenty-two questions were included that assessed the knowledge and attitude of Nepalese toward monkeypox. Statistical comparison between high and low knowledge was performed using Pearson's Chi-square test. Logistic regression models were deployed to establish the relationship between participants' knowledge and socio-demographic characteristics. RESULTS Among the total respondents, 53.8% demonstrated high knowledge of monkeypox. People aged 18-25 years, unmarried people, and those living in urban areas had significantly higher levels of knowledge. Most respondents believed that MPXV is not a conspiracy or bioterrorism (63.1%) and agreed that it is likely to affect people's social and economic life as COVID-19 did (67.0%). The history of COVID-19 vaccination (aOR: 2.980; 95%CI: 1.227, 7.236) and the younger age (aOR: 2.975; 95%CI: 1.097, 8.069) were found to be significant determinants of the knowledge of the participants on monkeypox. CONCLUSION We observed that most Nepalese populations had a high knowledge of monkeypox and that social media was the most valuable source of information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santa Kumar Das
- Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Tribhuvan University, Institute of Medicine, 44600, Maharajgunj, Nepal
| | | | - Kiran Paudel
- Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Nepal Health Frontiers, Tokha-5, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Sandesh Bhusal
- Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Sangam Shah
- Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | - Aastha Subedi
- Central Department of Public Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Sandhya Niroula
- Central Department of Public Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Najim Z Alshahrani
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jeddah, 21589, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sanjit Sah
- Research Scientist, Global Consortium for Public Health and Research, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, 442001, Wardha, India
- SR Sanjeevani Hospital, Kalyanpur-10, Siraha, Nepal
| | - Bijaya Kumar Padhi
- Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | | | - Alfonso J Rodriguez-Morales
- Faculties of Health Sciences and Environmental Sciences, Universidad Científica del Sur, 4861, Lima, Peru
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
- Grupo de Investigación Biomedicina, Faculty of Msedicine, Fundacion Universitaria Autónoma de las Américas-Institucion Universitaria Vision de las Americas, Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
| | - Luis A Salas-Matta
- Faculties of Health Sciences and Environmental Sciences, Universidad Científica del Sur, 4861, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Ranjit Sah
- Department of Microbiology, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Institute of Medicine, 44600, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Department of Microbiology, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, 411018, Pune, Maharashtra, India
- Department of Public Health Dentistry, Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, 411018, Pune, Maharashtra, India
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Alasslani HA, Alasslani TA, Alharbi WA. Awareness and Knowledge about Monkeypox Disease among General Adult Population in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia. J Family Med Prim Care 2024; 13:997-1003. [PMID: 38736786 PMCID: PMC11086804 DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1026_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Assessment of awareness and knowledge of the general population regarding Monkeypox is rarely investigated on a global level. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a lack of knowledge about monkeypox as one of the main challenges facing authorities in implementing effective preventive strategies. This study aims to assess the awareness and knowledge of the general adult population about Monkeypox disease. Subjects and Methods An online population-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, among a snowball sample of adult persons (>18 years old). A self-administered online Arabic and English questionnaires was utilized in this study. It consists of three main parts: sociodemographic characteristics of the patients, perception towards Monkeypox disease and assessment of the knowledge about Monkeypox disease through 23 multiple-choice questions with "Yes", "No" and "don't know" responses. Results A total of 387 adults were included in the study. Females represented 72.6% of them. Almost two-thirds (63.8%) aged between 26 and 45 years. More than half (55.6%) of the participants believed that monkeypox will affect social and economic life like the COVID-19 pandemic while 30.7% considered Monkeypox as a conspiracy or bioterrorism. Overall, almost half (50.4%) of the participants expressed excellent level of knowledge, whereas only 4.4% had poor level of knowledge. The highest level of excellent knowledge about Monkeypox disease was observed among participants in the age group 26-45 years (55.1%), whereas the lowest was observed among those in the age group 46-60 years (39.7%), P = 0.001. More educated participants (university/postgraduates) were more knowledgeable about Monkeypox disease as 53.5% of them had excellent level of knowledge compared to 33.3% of those below secondary school educational level, P = 0.047. Conclusion The knowledge of the general population about Monkeypox is acceptable. However, defective knowledge was observed regarding the fact that Monkeypox is not a new infection that appeared in the year 2022 as well as about the availability of a monkeypox vaccine in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, it is recommended to organize educational activities about the disease for general population targeted mainly lower educated and elderly subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wejdan A. Alharbi
- Family Medicine Specialist, Ministry of Health, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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León-Figueroa DA, Barboza JJ, Valladares-Garrido MJ. Sources of information on monkeypox virus infection. A systematic review with meta-analysis. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:276. [PMID: 38263135 PMCID: PMC10807226 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-17741-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Monkeypox (Mpox) virus infection is a topic of growing interest today because of its potential public health impact and concern about possible outbreaks. Reliable and up-to-date sources of information that provide accurate data on its transmission, symptoms, prevention, and treatment are essential for understanding and effectively addressing this disease. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to determine the prevalence of sources of information on Mpox virus infection. METHODS An exhaustive systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out using the information available in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and ScienceDirect databases up to August 3, 2023. The data were analyzed using R software version 4.2.3. The quality of the cross-sectional studies that formed part of this review was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-MAStARI) tool. In addition, a subgroup analysis was performed based on the study populations. RESULTS Through electronic searches of five databases, a total of 1833 studies were identified. Twenty-four cross-sectional articles were included, with a total sample of 35,959 participants from 34 countries. The pooled prevalence of each of the included information sources was: social networks reached 59% (95% CI: 50-68%; 29,146 participants; 22 studies; I2 = 100%; p < 0.01); the Internet was 61% (95% CI: 44-77%; 14,002 participants; 5 studies; I2 = 100%; p < 0.01), radio reached 10% (95% CI: 07-13%; 8917 participants; 4 studies; I2 = 93%; p < 0.01), television accounted for 24% (95% CI: 09-43%; 14,896 participants; 8 studies; I2 = 100%; p < 0.01), and the combination of radio and television accounted for 45% (95% CI: 31-60%; 4207 participants; 7 studies; I2 = 99%; p < 0.01); for newspapers, it was 15% (95% CI: 05-27%; 2841 participants; 6 studies; I2 = 99%; p < 0.01), friends and relatives accounted for 19% (95% CI: 12-28%; 28,470 participants; 19 studies; I2 = 100%; p < 0.01), the World Health Organization (WHO) accounted for 17% (95% CI: 07-29%; 1656 participants; 3 studies; I2 = 97%; p < 0.01), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) accounted for 10% (95% CI: 03-21%; 2378 participants; 3 studies; I2 = 98%; p < 0.01), and the combination of WHO and CDC websites accounted for 60% (95% CI: 48-72%; 1828 participants; 4 studies; I2 = 96%; p < 0.01), and finally, scientific articles and journals accounted for 24% (95% CI: 16-33%; 16,775 participants; 13 studies; I2 = 99%; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION The study suggests that people access a variety of information sources to gain knowledge about Mpox virus infection, with a strong emphasis on online sources such as social networks and the Internet. However, it is important to note that the quality and accuracy of information available from these sources can vary, underscoring the need to promote access to reliable and up-to-date information about this disease to ensure public health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joshuan J Barboza
- Unidad de Revisiones Sistemáticas y Meta-análisis, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, 15046, Lima, Peru
| | - Mario J Valladares-Garrido
- Universidad Continental, 15046, Lima, Peru.
- Oficina de Epidemiología, Hospital Regional Lambayeque, 14012, Chiclayo, Peru.
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Nusynowitz J, Jamneshan L, Garba NA, Samuels M, Bhoite P, Stumbar SE. Medical Students' Knowledge and Perceptions of Mpox in a High Incidence Region: Implications for Clinical Preparedness. PRIMER (LEAWOOD, KAN.) 2023; 7:37. [PMID: 38149281 PMCID: PMC10751096 DOI: 10.22454/primer.2023.120676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Introduction In August 2022, mpox (formerly "monkeypox") was declared a public health emergency in the United States, yet there has been little published on medical providers' knowledge or perceptions of the disease. With one of the highest incidence rates in the United States being in South Florida, our Miami-based medical school aimed to assess students' perceived levels of knowledge and attitudes regarding mpox. Methods An optional, anonymous survey consisting of multiple choice and Likert-type questions was emailed to all medical students. The first survey was sent out September 1, 2022, after which students received reminders on October 3, 8, and 31, 2022. We analyzed respondents' perceived knowledge and risk of contracting mpox by comparing responses between heterosexual and LGBTQ+ groups and preclinical and clinical groups. We used Mann-Whitney U or Kruskal Wallis tests for inferential statistical analysis. Results Of 480 medical students, 168 (35.0%) responded to the survey. Most respondents (88.1%) were not concerned about mpox; 95.2% perceived their personal risk to be moderate or low. LGBTQ+ students were significantly more likely than others to report feeling at risk from mpox. The majority (72.0%) of respondents reported poor perceived knowledge of mpox. There was no significant difference between preclinical and clinical students' reported level of perceived knowledge (P=.0621); 76.2% of respondents were not confident in their ability to recognize mpox symptoms. LGBTQ+ students were significantly more confident in identifying symptoms than others (P=.0201). Conclusion Medical students feel they lack critical knowledge of mpox and report being unprepared to recognize disease symptoms. The higher level of perceived risk and knowledge among LGBTQ+ students may stem from biases perpetuated by public messaging regarding mpox. These findings highlight the need for integrating education on emerging epidemics into undergraduate medical education to enable students to safely provide high-quality patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake Nusynowitz
- Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Lily Jamneshan
- Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Nana Aisha Garba
- Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Marquita Samuels
- Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Prasad Bhoite
- Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Sarah E Stumbar
- Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, FL
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Shoaib HM. Monkeypox as a potential emerging pandemic: a discussion on future risks and preparedness in Saudi Arabia. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1254545. [PMID: 38026424 PMCID: PMC10663316 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1254545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Monkeypox, a zoonotic disease caused by the Monkeypox virus, has emerged as a potential threat with pandemic potential in various regions. While it is challenging to predict specific outbreaks, understanding the factors contributing to Monkeypox's pandemic potential is important. This discussion paper explores the future risks and preparedness measures concerning Monkeypox in Saudi Arabia. The study reviews the past and current knowledge on the Monkeypox outbreak, including its clinical presentation, transmission dynamics (animals-to-humans and humans-to-human), epidemiology, and diagnostic methods. Furthermore, it explores the potential risk factors for the spread of Monkeypox within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, mainly in the Saudi Arabian context, considering factors such as urbanization and travel and trade patterns. The paper emphasizes the importance of early virus detection, surveillance systems, and laboratory capacity in vaccinating and responding to Monkeypox cases. Additionally, it highlights the future risks and preparedness in Saudi Arabia and the usage of social media during the pandemic seeking support and awareness about Monkeypox, and it also highlights the need for effective communication strategies of leaders through social media channels to disseminate accurate information to the public, healthcare providers, and policymakers. The discussion concludes by calling for collaborative efforts among health authorities, researchers, and international medical partners to enhance surveillance, develop outbreak response plans, and ensure the availability of vaccines and treatment options. This research serves as a foundation for guiding future preventive measures and strengthening the overall preparedness of Saudi Arabia in facing the potential emergence of Monkeypox as a future pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haneen Mohammad Shoaib
- College of Business Administration, University of Business and Technology, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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10
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Rawat RS, Ramasetty D, Yadavalli R, Kakarla M, Meyur S, Dutta N, Deoghare S. A Cross-Sectional Study To Assess Knowledge of Monkeypox Among Medical Students and Graduates in India. Cureus 2023; 15:e49744. [PMID: 38161887 PMCID: PMC10757644 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.49744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and aim Monkeypox outbreaks in several nations have brought focus to the emerging virus. The clinical presentation of monkeypox is less severe than smallpox but is fairly comparable, presenting with fever, headache, lymphadenopathy, back discomfort, myalgia, and skin rashes. The misinformation spread on social platforms had a major impact on the effectiveness of outbreak control measures. The clinical management of breakouts depends on the adequate knowledge of the healthcare personnel about the disease. This study aims to assess the knowledge of medical students and graduates regarding monkeypox in India. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted by circulating a predesigned questionnaire with 20 questions to collect information regarding the demographic characteristics of the study participants, source of knowledge about monkeypox disease, self-perceived knowledge, and number of correctly answered questions regarding the disease. The responses obtained from the questionnaire and teleconsultation were recorded and analyzed. Results Out of 404 medical students and graduates who participated in the study, the mean age of participants was 23.17±2.14 years, and only 156 students learned about monkeypox in medical colleges. Only 72 (17.82%) participants reported that their medical college or hospital organized an educational class to teach about monkey pox disease. A majority of respondents (n=350, 86.63%) received their knowledge from online sources, which were the first most used source, followed by Instagram. Conclusions The knowledge assessment about monkeypox revealed that the average correct responses of participants who perceived to be knowledgeable were significantly lower than those who perceived to have good knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ria Singh Rawat
- Department of Internal Medicine, RajaRajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore, IND
| | - Dinesh Ramasetty
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dr. Pinnamaneni Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Foundation, Vijayawada, IND
| | - Rajesh Yadavalli
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Adilabad, IND
| | - Meghana Kakarla
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bengaluru, IND
| | - Shourya Meyur
- Medicine, AMA School of Medicine, Makati, PHL
- Internal Medicine, Sambhunath Pandit Hospital, Kolkata, IND
| | - Nilashis Dutta
- Department of General Medicine, North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, Siliguri, IND
| | - Shreya Deoghare
- Department of Dermatology, Dr. DY Patil Medical College and Hospital, Pune, IND
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Alkalash SH, Marzouk MM, Farag NA, Elesrigy FA, Barakat AM, Ahmed FA, Mohamed RA, Almowafy AA. Evaluation of human monkeypox knowledge and beliefs regarding emerging viral infections among healthcare workers. Int J Emerg Med 2023; 16:75. [PMID: 37853310 PMCID: PMC10583353 DOI: 10.1186/s12245-023-00547-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to evaluate possible factors that might be accompanied by high level of human monkey pox (HMPX) knowledge and to explain the relationship between HMPX knowledge and Beliefs regarding emerging viral infections. STUDY DESIGN A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted for the implementation of this study. METHODS Study was conducted at two general hospitals in Mansoura City (Old General Hospital and International Hospital) El Dakahlia Governorate among 620 healthcare workers (HCWs) using a self-managed questionnaire for 1 week (1 to 7 January 2023). The questionnaire has items adapted from the previously published literature to assess HMPX knowledge and Beliefs regarding emerging viral infections. RESULTS The mean age of the study sample was 27.97 years and most of them were female (86.1%). Physicians and other HCWs (nurses, laboratory technicians, radiographer technicians, and pharmacists) had significantly different levels of knowledge of monkeypox for the majority of the questions. A higher belief was found among two items: viruses are biological weapons manufactured by the superpowers to take global control and the government is misleading the public about the cause of the virus. CONCLUSION This study discovered lower levels of knowledge of HMPX among HCWs in Egypt. Beliefs about emerging viral infections were widespread, and future research should look into their potential negative impact on health behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safa H Alkalash
- Department of Community Medicine and Healthcare, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Al-Qunfudah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Family Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Marzouk M Marzouk
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Damietta Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Damietta, Egypt
| | - Nagwa A Farag
- Family Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Fatma A Elesrigy
- Family Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Ayah M Barakat
- Family Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Faransa A Ahmed
- College of Applied Medical Sciences in Alnamas, University of Bisha, Bisha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Rasha A Mohamed
- Community Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Bisha, Bisha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Abeer A Almowafy
- International Islamic Center for Population Studies and Research, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
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Raman H, Jamil A, Rasheed A, Abdulrahman Jairoun A, Lua PL, Ibrahim UI, Jamshed S. Knowledge of Medical Students Towards the Re-emergence of Human Monkeypox Virus. Cureus 2023; 15:e46761. [PMID: 37954738 PMCID: PMC10632180 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Declaration of human monkeypox(HMPX) virus as Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised concerns among the public andlack of knowledge is a prominent challenge in curbing this outbreak. Therefore, assessment ofknowledge level on this outbreak among the medical students is also necessary due to the fact that they are the future healthcare practitioners who will be directly involved in the disease management as well as a major source of knowledge dissemination to the public. AIM The main objective of this study is to assess the knowledge level of medical students at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) regarding the emergence of HMPX. Additionally, the study aims to investigate potential associations between socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge levels, while also identifying factors that predict a high level of knowledge in this context.. METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among UniSZA undergraduatemedical students from Year 1 to Year 5. A validated questionnaire comprising six socio-demographic variables and 27 knowledge items was shared online. Descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests and multivariate logistic regression were performed using SPSS software. RESULTS A total of 138 medical students out of 300 participated in this study. Overall, the average knowledge score was 73.95% ±4.43, which indicates that the medical students have moderate knowledge level. Nearly half of them had good knowledge level (n= 68; 49.3%), 43 of them had moderate knowledge level (31.2%), and 27 of them had poor knowledge level (19.6%). There was a significant association between knowledge level and two factors: receiving information on HMPX during their education and seniority (P-value < 0.01 and P-value < 0.05, respectively). Besides, received information on HMPX during their education was a significant predicting factor of good knowledge level (P-value = 0.002). CONCLUSION The knowledge level among the medical students was relatively inadequate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemalatha Raman
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, MYS
| | - Aslinda Jamil
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, MYS
| | - Abdur Rasheed
- School of Public Health, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, PAK
| | - Ammar Abdulrahman Jairoun
- Health and Safety, Centre of Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Dubai, ARE
| | - Pei Lin Lua
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, MYS
| | | | - Shazia Jamshed
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, MYS
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Abd ElHafeez S, Gebreal A, Khalil MA, Youssef N, Sallam M, Elshabrawy A, Abdel-Rahman S, Mahboob AS, Yazbek S, Elbanna EH, Adhyaru R, Rodoshi ZN, Kih YS, Jawad H, Kolotouros E, Jaworski A, AlQarni G, Gablan M, Condurat A, Elden AESSN, Bennani O, Rawat K, Ismail A, Al-Hajj Y, Elehamer NMK, Nagi J, Admassu H, Al Asaad SH, Duvuru R, Ogunlana O, Alosaimi B, Ghazy RM. Assessing disparities in medical students' knowledge and attitude about monkeypox: a cross-sectional study of 27 countries across three continents. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1192542. [PMID: 37575128 PMCID: PMC10415161 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1192542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aims The recent monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO) underscores the importance of evaluating the knowledge and attitude of medical students toward emerging diseases, given their potential roles as healthcare professionals and sources of public information during outbreaks. This study aimed to assess medical students' knowledge and attitude about Mpox and to identify factors affecting their level of knowledge and attitude in low-income and high-income countries. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 11,919 medical students from 27 countries. A newly-developed validated questionnaire was used to collect data on knowledge (14 items), attitude (12 items), and baseline criteria. The relationship between a range of factors with knowledge and attitude was studied using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results 46% of the study participants were males; 10.7% were in their sixth year; 54.6% knew about smallpox; 84% received the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine; and 12.5% had training on Mpox. 55.3% had good knowledge of Mpox and 51.7% had a positive attitude towards it. Medical students in their third, fifth, or sixth year high- income countries who obtained information on Mpox from friends, research articles, social media and scientific websites were positive predictors for good knowledge. Conversely, being male or coming from high-income countries showed a negative relation with good knowledge about Mpox. Additionally, a positive attitude was directly influenced by residing in urban areas, being in the fifth year of medical education, having knowledge about smallpox and a history of receiving the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine. Receiving information about Mpox from social media or scientific websites and possessing good knowledge about Mpox were also predictors of a positive attitude. On the other hand, being male, employed, or receiving a training program about Mpox were inversely predicting positive attitude about Mpox. Conclusion There were differences in knowledge and attitude towards Mpox between medical students in low and high-income countries, emphasizing the need for incorporating epidemiology of re-emerging diseases like Mpox into the medical curriculum to improve disease prevention and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samar Abd ElHafeez
- Department of Epidemiology, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Assem Gebreal
- Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Mohammad Adnan Khalil
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh Second Health Cluster, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naglaa Youssef
- Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, College of Nursing, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Medical-Surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Malik Sallam
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
- Department of Clinical Laboratories and Forensic Medicine, Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan
| | - Abdelhamid Elshabrawy
- Department of Biostatistics and Demography, Faculty of Graduate Studies for Statistical Research, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Suzan Abdel-Rahman
- Department of Biostatistics and Demography, Faculty of Graduate Studies for Statistical Research, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amira Saad Mahboob
- Tropical Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Saja Yazbek
- Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Eman H. Elbanna
- Tropical Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | | | | | - Yap Siew Kih
- Taylor’s University School of Medicine, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Huda Jawad
- College of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Bahrain, Manama, Bahrain
| | - Evangelos Kolotouros
- Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Ghadah AlQarni
- College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | | | - Oumayma Bennani
- Faculty Mohammed VI of Medicine and Pharmacy, Oujda, Morocco
| | - Kamna Rawat
- Government Doon Medical College, Dehradun, India
| | - Areeba Ismail
- Department of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Yasser Al-Hajj
- Faculty of Medicine, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Jasleen Nagi
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Ruthwik Duvuru
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Bandar Alosaimi
- Research Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh Second Health Cluster, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ramy Mohamed Ghazy
- Tropical Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
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Swed S, Alibrahim H, Bohsas H, Aljabali A, Almoshantaf MB, Sawaf B, Shoib S, Patwary MM, Albazee E, Lee KY, Farwati A, Seijari MN, Hafez W, Rakab A. Monkeypox in Syria: Highlighting an awareness issue. IJID REGIONS 2023; 7:271-276. [PMID: 37200559 PMCID: PMC10116148 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2023.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Background The World Health Organization (WHO) verified 780 cases of monkeypox across 27 countries between 13 May 2022 and 2 June 2022. The aim of our study was to assess the level of awareness of human monkeypox virus among Syrian medical students, general practitioners, medical residents, and specialists. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was performed in Syria between May 2 and September 8, 2022. The survey consisted of 53 questions within the following three categories: demographic information, work-related details, and monkeypox knowledge. Results In total, 1257 Syrian healthcare workers and medical students were enrolled in our study. The animal host and incubation time for monkeypox were correctly identified by just 2.7% and 33.3% of responders, respectively. Sixty percent of the study sample thought that the symptoms of monkeypox and smallpox are identical. No statistically significant associations were found between predictor variables and knowledge regarding monkeypox (p-value > 0.05). Conclusion Education and awareness regarding monkeypox vaccinations are of paramount importance. It is essential that clinical doctors are adequately aware of this disease, in order to avoid an uncontrolled situation, as experienced with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarya Swed
- Faculty of Medicine Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria
| | | | | | | | | | - Bisher Sawaf
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sheikh Shoib
- JLNM Hospital, Rainawari, Srinagar
- Directorate of Health Services, J&K, India
| | - Muhammad Mainuddin Patwary
- Environment and Sustainability Research Initiative, Khulna, 9208, Bangladesh
- Environmental Science Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna, 9208, Bangladesh
| | - Ebraheem Albazee
- Kuwait Institute for Medical Specializations, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Ka Yiu Lee
- Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Sweden
| | - Amr Farwati
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Wael Hafez
- NMC Royal Hospital, 16th Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Medical Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, The National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amine Rakab
- Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Qatar
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Miraglia Del Giudice G, Della Polla G, Folcarelli L, Napoli A, Angelillo IF. Knowledge and attitudes of health care workers about monkeypox virus infection in Southern Italy. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1091267. [PMID: 36923038 PMCID: PMC10009274 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1091267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This present survey sought to investigate the level of knowledge and the attitudes pertaining the monkeypox (mpox) virus infection among a sample of health care workers (HCWs) in Italy, as well as the possible role of different factors on these outcomes. Methods The cross-sectional survey was performed from July through October, 2022 at four randomly selected hospitals located in Southern Italy. Results The questionnaire was completed by 421 HCWs, for an overall 59% response rate. Less than two-thirds were able to define the disease and the correct answer of the transmission mechanisms ranged from 22.8% for contact with contaminated objects to 75.8% through close contact with body fluids. Only 4% and 12.8% indicated HCWs and elderly/frail/people with underlying immune deficiencies as risk groups. The mean overall score of the knowledge assessment on mpox was 3.4 (0-9). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HCWs with a lower number of years of working experience and those who had acquired information about mpox from scientific journals were more likely to have a higher level of knowledge. The average score of the perception of the severity of the disease was 6.3. A similar score with a value of 6.1 has been observed for the statement that mpox is a serious problem for the population. Regarding the level of concern about contracting mpox, the mean score was 5.1. Only 10.5% reported that they feel that this disease can be prevented, with an overall mean score of 6.5. Almost all HCWs reported that they are still living as usual, with no modification of their behavior for fear of contracting the mpox. The results of the multivariate logistic regression model showed that women, HCWs with a higher level of knowledge about mpox, and those who needed additional information about mpox were more likely to have a higher level of perception of the severity of the disease. Conclusion This survey has demonstrated that HCWs had an unsatisfactory level of knowledge toward mpox and only nearly half showed positive attitudes. Strategic health training programs should be made so that knowledge can be acquired.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giorgia Della Polla
- Department of Public Health and Laboratory Services, Teaching Hospital of the University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Lucio Folcarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Annalisa Napoli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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