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Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward mpox among university health science students in Türkiye: a
Ömer Ataç1,2, Ayşe Nur Balcı Yapalak3,4, Osman Hayran2,5
1Department of Public Health, International School of Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University, Göztepe Mah, Kavacık, Atatürk Cd. No:40, Beykoz, İstanbul, 34810, Türkiye.
Background:
The aim of this study was to examine the level of knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices regarding mpox among health science students.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted among a group of students from four schools of a university in İstanbul, Türkiye. All students were invited to participate voluntarily, and the final sample represented convenience sampling based on classroom attendance. A total of 1,466 students participated with a participation rate of 31%. Data were collected between September 20 and October 15, 2024, using a paper-based self-administered questionnaire that was distributed and retrieved in person during class sessions. The questionnaire included questions to describe demographic characteristics and to measure the level of knowledge. Attitudes and practices were evaluated by measuring the agreement level on a 5-point Likert scale of various statements. Group differences were assessed using chi-square tests for categorical variables and t-tests or ANOVA for continuous variables.
Results:
Health science students had limited knowledge about mpox, with a mean score of 10.09 out of 22 (45.9%) correct responses. Just over half of participants (51.0%) reported agreement with favorable attitude items, while only 19.3% reported agreement with preventive practice items. Social media was the most frequently reported source of information (56.3%), followed by TV channels (35.8%). Most students (74.9%) expressed hesitancy toward vaccination, and 60.5% of hesitant respondents cited fear of side effects as their main concern.
Conclusion:
Our study highlights gaps in mpox knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices among university health sciences students. Low willingness to receive a mpox vaccine was the most prominent finding, and many students reported concerns about side effects as their main reason for reluctance. Reliance on social media for information was also common, underscoring the need for targeted educational campaigns that address vaccine safety and promote accurate information dissemination.
