Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Human Monkeypox Virus Infection among Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health
• Nursing Research

Background:

• Monkeypox (Mpox) poses a significant global health concern, with the 2022 outbreak affecting over 60 countries.
• Nurses are crucial in managing Mpox patients and educating the public, necessitating a strong understanding of the disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the knowledge and attitudes (KAs) of nurses in Bangladesh regarding monkeypox (Mpox).
• To identify factors influencing nurses' KAs and their correlation with patient management preparedness.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 1047 nurses in Bangladesh.
• Data collected via semi-structured, self-administered questionnaires distributed online (Google Form).
• Statistical analysis included Chi-square test, logistic regression, and Pearson correlation.

Main Results:

• 57.97% of nurses demonstrated good knowledge and 93.12% exhibited positive attitudes towards Mpox.
• Female nurses showed significantly better knowledge and attitudes compared to male nurses.
• A strong positive correlation was found between good knowledge and positive attitudes regarding Mpox.

Conclusions:

• While overall KAs are positive, targeted training is needed to further enhance nurses' capacity in Mpox patient care.
• Continuous professional development is recommended to ensure nurses are equipped to handle emerging infectious diseases like Mpox.