Assessment of knowledge, attitudes and behavior, perception, risk factors, practices, One Health, and interventions regarding Monkeypox in Pakistan.

INTRODUCTION

The monkeypox virus, a species of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family, is the etiological agent of monkeypox, a rare but re-emerging zoonotic disease in non-endemic regions.

AIM AND

OBJECTIVES

This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and awareness, as well as the risk factors related to monkeypox, among the general population of Pakistan. It also investigated preventive practices, healthcare-seeking behavior, and One Health awareness to inform evidence-based strategies for reducing monkeypox incidence in Pakistan.

METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Pakistan from June to December 2023 to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, risk factors, practices, One Health, and interventions related to monkeypox. A standard, pre-validated questionnaire addressing critical questions about monkeypox was used, and 640 participants completed the study.

RESULTS

Among 640 study participants, the majority were male (56.6%). Overall, 75.6% of participants had poor knowledge of monkeypox. A positive attitude was reported in 58.8% of participants, and 74.8% expressed willingness to adopt precautionary measures. The chi-square test results showed significant associations between socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge, including gender (p < 0.033), education (p < 0.028), occupation (p < 0.038), and smoking status (p < 0.000). For attitudes, significant associations were observed with gender (p < 0.003), income (p < 0.003), occupation (p < 0.007), and smoking status (p < 0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

Although most participants demonstrated insufficient knowledge and positive attitudes towards monkeypox. This underscores the need for a comprehensive public health education initiative aimed at preventing the emergence and transmission of monkeypox in Pakistan.