Nurses' Knowledge and Anxiety About Human Monkeypox Virus Infection: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health Nursing

Background:

• Human monkeypox virus (Mpox) poses a global health concern.
• Effective nursing knowledge and preparedness are vital for managing infectious disease outbreaks.
• Understanding nurses' current knowledge and anxiety levels regarding Mpox is essential for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the knowledge and anxiety levels of nurses in Türkiye concerning Mpox.
• To identify factors influencing nurses' Mpox knowledge and anxiety, including institutional training and preparedness.
• To inform strategies for enhancing nursing readiness for Mpox outbreaks.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 214 actively employed nurses in Türkiye.
• Data collection involved socio-demographic questionnaires, Mpox-specific forms, a knowledge assessment, and the Epidemic Anxiety Scale (EAS).
• Statistical analysis explored associations between knowledge, anxiety, and influencing factors.

Main Results:

• The mean Epidemic Anxiety Scale score was 48.36 ± 19.26, with higher anxiety noted in female nurses.
• Increased Mpox knowledge correlated with higher job satisfaction, access to institutional information, and training participation.
• Fear of infection, transmission, and loss of loved ones significantly impacted knowledge levels; perceived information adequacy boosted knowledge.

Conclusions:

• A substantial knowledge gap regarding Mpox exists among nurses in Türkiye, potentially compromising outbreak preparedness.
• Strengthening educational initiatives and integrating epidemic management into nursing curricula are recommended.
• Improving nurses' knowledge and reducing anxiety are critical for effective public health response to Mpox.