Healthcare Workers’ Worries and Monkeypox Vaccine Advocacy during the First Month of the WHO Monkeypox Alert: Cross-Sectional Survey in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Monkeypox virus re-surged in May 2022 as a new potential global health threat, with outbreaks bursting in multiple countries across different continents. This study was conducted in Saudi Arabia during the first month following the WHO announcement of the Monkeypox outbreak, to assess healthcare workers (HCWs) perceptions of, worries concerning, and vaccine acceptance for, Monkeypox, in light of the resolving COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A national cross-sectional survey was conducted between 27 May and 10 June 2022, in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected on: HCWs’ sociodemographic and job-related characteristics; COVID-19 infection status; and worries concerning Monkeypox, compared to COVID-19 and its sources; as well as their perceptions and awareness of, and advocacy for, supporting Monkeypox vaccination. Results: A total of 1130 HCWs completed the survey, of which 41.6% have already developed COVID-19. However, 56.5% were more concerned about COVID-19 compared to Monkeypox, while the rest were more worried about Monkeypox disease. The main cause for concern among 68.8% of the participants was the development of another worldwide pandemic, post-COVID-19, followed by their concern of either themselves or their families contracting the infection (49.6%). Most HCWs (60%) rated their level of self-awareness of Monkeypox disease as moderate to high. Males, and those who had previously developed COVID-19, were significantly less likely to worry about Monkeypox. The worry about Monkeypox developing into a pandemic, and the perception of Monkeypox being a severe disease, correlated significantly positively with the odds of high worry concerning the disease. The major predictors of participants’ advocacy for vaccination against Monkeypox disease were: those who had developed COVID-19 previously; and those who supported tighter infection control measures (than those currently used) to combat the disease. A total of 74.2% of the surveyed HCWs perceived that they needed to read more about Monkeypox disease. Conclusions: Approximately half of the HCWs in this study were more concerned about Monkeypox disease than COVID-19, particularly regarding its possible progression into a new pandemic, during the first month following the WHO’s Monkeypox international alert. In addition, the majority of participants were in favor of applying tighter infection prevention measures to combat the disease. The current study highlights areas requiring attention for healthcare administrators regarding HCWs’ perceptions and preparedness for Monkeypox, especially in the event of a local or international pandemic.

Knowledge, awareness, and worry about human monkeypox and attitude toward its vaccination in non endemic countries: a concise critical review

“…Sallam et al [16] reported that male are more informed while Jairoun et al [24] showed that females had the highest level of knowledge. The last category (females) in association with individuals who were not infected with COVID-19 and medical students are more worried about human monkeypox as reported by Aljamaan et al [21] In this way, the level of worry varied from the different studies. This level varied from 26.37% of the total population [26] and 28.5% among Frensh and Belgian healthcare workers [27] to 60.4% among the general population in Saudi Arabia [15].…”

“…This level varied from 26.37% of the total population [26] and 28.5% among Frensh and Belgian healthcare workers [27] to 60.4% among the general population in Saudi Arabia [15]. Moreover, 37.5% of the studied Saudi healthcare worker were more concerned about HMPX than COVID-19 [21].…”

“…These may be due to the fact that females were reported to believe more in rumors and conspiracy theories than males [25]. Medical students and individuals who were not infected with COVID-19 were also more worried about human monkeypox [21].…”

Comparison of Monkeypox disease knowledge and perception among the healthcare workers versus the general population during the first month of the WHO emerging infectious disease alert

“…An online survey of HCWs and the public in KSA was conducted from May 27 to June The survey tool was adopted from our published research on COVID-19 with modifications related to the new MPD outbreak [12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. The final version was tested for content validity by our assigned research experts and piloted among ten HCWs for clarity and consistency.…”

“…This study aimed to assess the Saudi Arabian public and HCWs' knowledge about MPD and their information-seeking attitude during the first month of the WHO alert about MPD, before any cases were yet reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), as the first MPD was reported by the Ministry of Health (MOH) on July 14, 2022 [11]. The survey tool was adopted from our published research on COVID-19 with modifications related to the new MPD outbreak [12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. The final version was tested for content validity by our assigned research experts and piloted among ten HCWs for clarity and consistency.…”