Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Associated Factors of Mpox Among Healthcare Professionals at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2024: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

Mpox is a zoonotic disease that has become a significant public health concern, especially in regions beyond its usual endemic areas in Africa. The rising global incidence and its classification as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization highlight the importance of healthcare professionals (HCPs) being knowledgeable and well-prepared to effectively manage the virus. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and factors associated with HCPs regarding Mpox infections at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Northwest Ethiopia.

METHODS

Between June 13th and September 3rd, 2024, a cross-sectional study was conducted, among 384 HCPs selected through convenience sampling. A pretested, and well-structured, questionnaire was used to assess the sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, and attitudes of HCPs. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. A -value of ≤ 0.05 was considered a statistically significant association.

RESULTS

Out of the 384 participants, the majority were male (55.47%) and aged 31-39 years (33.85%). Nurses made up the largest professional group at 31.25%. Only 28.13% and 37.76% of HCPs demonstrated good knowledge and favorable attitudes toward the Mpox, respectively. Interestingly, HCPs with prior information sources about Mpox were likely to possess good knowledge (AOR = 1.45,  = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings emphasize important gaps in the knowledge and attitude of HCPs. It is imperative to implement targeted educational initiatives such as information dissemination, training, and continuous professional development to improve the capacity of HCPs to effectively respond to Mpox and other emerging infectious diseases.