Knowledge, attitude, and practice of medical students toward Mpox in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Public health awareness is critical for preventing transmission of the Mpox virus, which is considered as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO.

We used a cross-sectional study across different academic phases to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of medical students at a Saudi university regarding Mpox.

Our data revealed that 84% of participants across all academic phases demonstrated poor knowledge of Mpox (score <13), with an average knowledge score of 8.58 out of 20. The widest knowledge gap was observed in 64% of respondents who were unaware of the Mpox misnomer, 73% not knowledgeable about the course of Mpox symptoms, and 68% unaware of the Mpox vaccine. About 72% of the respondents reported poor public awareness, but 57% expressed willingness to comply with preventative measures. Only 10% of our population did not adopt any proactive precautionary measures, and 65% were willing to get vaccinated against Mpox if made available in Saudi Arabia.

Our findings revealed a general lack of adequate knowledge of Mpox symptoms, transmission, and vaccine options. We emphasize the need for greater public engagement through awareness campaigns and educational programs to mitigate the spread of this infectious disease.