Assessment of MPOX infection-related knowledge levels, concerns, and associated factors: a community-based cross-sectional study
Abstract Background MPOX (Monkeypox) is a zoonotic disease of increasing global concern due to its re-emergence and potential for human-to-human transmission. Effective public health interventions rely on understanding socio-demographic determinants of knowledge and perceptions of the disease. This...
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2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21384-5 |
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| author | Mehmet Emin Arayici Suleyman Dolu Hasan Ozdek Sayilir Hatice Simsek Sükran Kose |
| author_facet | Mehmet Emin Arayici Suleyman Dolu Hasan Ozdek Sayilir Hatice Simsek Sükran Kose |
| author_sort | Mehmet Emin Arayici |
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| description | Abstract Background MPOX (Monkeypox) is a zoonotic disease of increasing global concern due to its re-emergence and potential for human-to-human transmission. Effective public health interventions rely on understanding socio-demographic determinants of knowledge and perceptions of the disease. This study aimed to investigate MPOX-related knowledge and concerns among a diverse sample in Türkiye, identifying key factors influencing knowledge levels. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 509 participants aged 18–73 years (mean age: 33.8 ± 15.6) in all settlements of Türkiye. Socio-demographic data were collected, and MPOX knowledge and concerns were assessed using a structured data form. To assess knowledge levels regarding MPOX, 15 questions were defined with 1 point given for each correct answer, and these questions were then categorized as high knowledge (≥ 10 correct answers) and low knowledge (< 10 correct answers). Univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with knowledge levels. Trust and reliance on information sources were also evaluated. The data form was distributed to participants via social media platforms. Results The majority of participants (97.1%) were aware of MPOX, but only 6.5% believed adequate precautions were in place. The mean knowledge score was 7.6 ± 3.7, with 37.7% demonstrating high knowledge. In terms of concerns about MPOX, only 31.6% of participants were identified as concerned, whereas the majority (68.4%) of the participants reported no significant concerns. The most trusted source of information about MPOX among the participants was medical doctors and healthcare professionals, as indicated by 53.63% of respondents. Low knowledge was significantly associated with older age (p = 0.015), female gender (p = 0.002), lower education levels (p < 0.001), non-medical fields (p < 0.001), and lower income (p < 0.001). Social media (53.11%) was the most common information source, yet healthcare professionals (53.63%) were the most trusted. Multivariable logistic regression confirmed that being in non-medical fields (OR = 2.858, 95% CI: 1.809–4.515, p < 0.001), lower income (OR = 3.141, 95% CI: 2.015–4.896, p < 0.001), and perceived low immunity (OR = 2.264, 95% CI: 1.350–3.797, p = 0.002) independently predicted lower knowledge. Conclusions Despite high awareness, significant gaps in MPOX knowledge exist, particularly among older adults, females, non-medical professionals, and those with low income. Public health strategies should prioritize these groups, leveraging trusted sources like healthcare professionals while improving the reliability of digital information platforms. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0be600f390224bc386485d35db4e6d29 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-0be600f390224bc386485d35db4e6d292025-01-19T12:41:35ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-01-0125111110.1186/s12889-025-21384-5Assessment of MPOX infection-related knowledge levels, concerns, and associated factors: a community-based cross-sectional studyMehmet Emin Arayici0Suleyman Dolu1Hasan Ozdek Sayilir2Hatice Simsek3Sükran Kose4Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylül UniversityDepartment of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul UniversityDepartment of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul UniversityDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylül UniversityDepartment of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul UniversityAbstract Background MPOX (Monkeypox) is a zoonotic disease of increasing global concern due to its re-emergence and potential for human-to-human transmission. Effective public health interventions rely on understanding socio-demographic determinants of knowledge and perceptions of the disease. This study aimed to investigate MPOX-related knowledge and concerns among a diverse sample in Türkiye, identifying key factors influencing knowledge levels. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 509 participants aged 18–73 years (mean age: 33.8 ± 15.6) in all settlements of Türkiye. Socio-demographic data were collected, and MPOX knowledge and concerns were assessed using a structured data form. To assess knowledge levels regarding MPOX, 15 questions were defined with 1 point given for each correct answer, and these questions were then categorized as high knowledge (≥ 10 correct answers) and low knowledge (< 10 correct answers). Univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with knowledge levels. Trust and reliance on information sources were also evaluated. The data form was distributed to participants via social media platforms. Results The majority of participants (97.1%) were aware of MPOX, but only 6.5% believed adequate precautions were in place. The mean knowledge score was 7.6 ± 3.7, with 37.7% demonstrating high knowledge. In terms of concerns about MPOX, only 31.6% of participants were identified as concerned, whereas the majority (68.4%) of the participants reported no significant concerns. The most trusted source of information about MPOX among the participants was medical doctors and healthcare professionals, as indicated by 53.63% of respondents. Low knowledge was significantly associated with older age (p = 0.015), female gender (p = 0.002), lower education levels (p < 0.001), non-medical fields (p < 0.001), and lower income (p < 0.001). Social media (53.11%) was the most common information source, yet healthcare professionals (53.63%) were the most trusted. Multivariable logistic regression confirmed that being in non-medical fields (OR = 2.858, 95% CI: 1.809–4.515, p < 0.001), lower income (OR = 3.141, 95% CI: 2.015–4.896, p < 0.001), and perceived low immunity (OR = 2.264, 95% CI: 1.350–3.797, p = 0.002) independently predicted lower knowledge. Conclusions Despite high awareness, significant gaps in MPOX knowledge exist, particularly among older adults, females, non-medical professionals, and those with low income. Public health strategies should prioritize these groups, leveraging trusted sources like healthcare professionals while improving the reliability of digital information platforms.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21384-5MonkeypoxKnowledge levelConcernAdults |
| spellingShingle | Mehmet Emin Arayici Suleyman Dolu Hasan Ozdek Sayilir Hatice Simsek Sükran Kose Assessment of MPOX infection-related knowledge levels, concerns, and associated factors: a community-based cross-sectional study BMC Public Health Monkeypox Knowledge level Concern Adults |
| title | Assessment of MPOX infection-related knowledge levels, concerns, and associated factors: a community-based cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Assessment of MPOX infection-related knowledge levels, concerns, and associated factors: a community-based cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Assessment of MPOX infection-related knowledge levels, concerns, and associated factors: a community-based cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessment of MPOX infection-related knowledge levels, concerns, and associated factors: a community-based cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Assessment of MPOX infection-related knowledge levels, concerns, and associated factors: a community-based cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | assessment of mpox infection related knowledge levels concerns and associated factors a community based cross sectional study |
| topic | Monkeypox Knowledge level Concern Adults |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21384-5 |
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