Mpox-Related Knowledge, Risk Perception, and Vaccination Willingness Among University Students in Aktobe, Kazakhstan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

Mpox is a re-emerging viral zoonotic disease that remains relevant for public health preparedness, risk communication, and vaccination literacy. University students are an important population for infectious disease communication because they are socially active, digitally connected, and may act as knowledge multipliers. This study assessed Mpox-related knowledge, risk perception, preventive practices, and willingness to receive Mpox vaccination among university students in Aktobe, Kazakhstan, and identified independent predictors of adequate knowledge and vaccination willingness.

METHODS

A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among students from three universities. The questionnaire collected socio-demographic characteristics, Mpox-related knowledge, information sources, attitudes, preventive practices, perceived risk, and vaccination willingness. Knowledge was summarized using a three-item score; adequate knowledge was defined as a score of at least 2 out of 3. Two multivariable logistic regression models were fitted: one for adequate Mpox-related knowledge and one for willingness to receive Mpox vaccination.

RESULTS

The final descriptive dataset included 482 respondents. Most participants were female (66.8%), from urban areas (80.5%), and aged 17-18 years (61.6%). Only 217 students (45.0%) had previously heard about Mpox, 193 (40.0%) correctly identified rash as the main symptom, and 179 (37.1%) knew that vaccination against Mpox exists. Adequate knowledge was observed in 201 students (41.7%), while only 150 students (31.1%) were willing to receive Mpox vaccination. In the multivariable model, adequate knowledge was independently associated with studying at Marat Ospanov West Kazakhstan Medical University (aOR = 5.66; 95% CI: 2.95-10.84), use of medical websites as an information source (aOR = 1.71; 95% CI: 1.09-2.69), and following infectious disease news (aOR = 2.81; 95% CI: 1.76-4.48). Vaccination willingness was independently associated with considering Mpox a dangerous infectious disease (aOR = 2.04; 95% CI: 1.11-3.77) and perceiving Mpox as a threat to Kazakhstan (aOR = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.30-3.59).

CONCLUSIONS

Mpox-related knowledge among university students in Aktobe was limited, while vaccination willingness remained low despite moderate perceived risk. Reliable information exposure improved knowledge, whereas vaccination willingness was more strongly associated with perceived disease threat. These findings support university-based health literacy, vaccine literacy, and risk communication interventions aimed at improving preparedness for emerging infectious diseases.