Knowledge of Medical Professionals toward Monkey pox virus in Karachi, Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

الملخص

Background: Monkeypox disease (MPD) is a relatively rare viral infection. Recently, health officials in Pakistan have been alerted to confirmed cases of monkeypox in non-endemic countries, including the United Kingdom.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the knowledge of medical professionals about monkeypox disease in Karachi, Pakistan, to better understand the factors contributing to the emergence and management of the disease.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted by using an open online self-administered survey through Google Forms. The survey data were taken between January and April 2023. The study respondents were 470. Of the 430 participants included in the final analysis, 54.40% were female, and all were "somewhat knowledgeable" about monkeypox disease. The associations between independent factors and either knowledge or attitude were assessed.

Results: A total of 550 questionnaires were distributed via online, but only 470 were received back. Among these 470, forty questionnaires have been found to be incomplete, and they were excluded from the study. The current study included 430 questionnaires with a response rate of 90%. The result showed that 56.27% were aware of monkeypox disease (MPD), while 22.79% were uninformed of it, and 22.94% lacked adequate knowledge of MPD. 40% of respondents believe immunizations can prevent monkeypox disease (MPD). Data strongly depended on gender, with female predominance. The majority of females, 54.40%, determined themselves to be somewhat knowledgeable.

Conclusions: This study concludes that there is a gap in awareness among healthcare professionals. Medical professionals might require educational interventions to overcome their lack of expertise, allowing for more accurate diagnosis and treatment.