Knowledge, Attitude and Conspiracy Beliefs of Healthcare Workers in Lebanon towards Monkeypox

Abstract

The emergence of a monkeypox (MPOX) outbreak in 2022 represented the most recent recognizable public health emergency at a global level. Improving knowledge and attitude towards MPOX, particularly among healthcare workers (HCWs), can be a valuable approach in public health preventive efforts aiming to halt MPOX virus spread. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of HCWs in Lebanon towards MPOX and to assess their conspiratorial attitude towards emerging virus infections (EVIs). The current study was based on a cross-sectional online survey distributed via Google Forms during September–December 2022 implementing a convenience sampling approach. The final study sample comprised a total of 646 HCWs: physicians (n = 171, 26.5%), pharmacists (n = 283, 43.8%), and nurses (n = 168, 26.0%), among others (n = 24, 3.7%). Variable defects in MPOX knowledge were detected, with a third of the participants having MPOX knowledge above the 75th percentile (n = 218, 33.7%). Satisfactory attitude towards MPOX (>75th percentile) was observed in less than a third of the participants (n = 198, 30.7%), while a quarter of the study sample endorsed conspiracy beliefs towards EVIs at a high level (>75th percentile, n = 164, 25.4%). Slightly more than two thirds of the participants agreed that MPOX vaccination should be used in disease prevention (n = 440, 68.1%). Better levels of MPOX knowledge and attitude were significantly associated with postgraduate education and older age. Physicians had significantly higher MPOX knowledge compared to other occupational categories. Less endorsement of conspiracies towards EVIs was significantly associated with male sex, occupation as a physician, and postgraduate education. Higher MPOX knowledge was associated with better attitude towards the disease. The current study showed unsatisfactory MPOX knowledge among Lebanese HCWs. Educational efforts can be valuable to improve the attitude towards the disease. Despite the relatively low level of embracing conspiracy beliefs regarding EVIs among HCWs in this study compared to previous studies, this area should be considered based on its potential impact on health-seeking behavior.

Knowledge, Attitude and Worry in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq during the Mpox (Monkeypox) Outbreak in 2022: An Online Cross-Sectional Study

“…However, an early report by the WHO revealed that a lack of knowledge regarding mpox, particularly among healthcare providers, can be a major barrier to the preventive efforts [ 24 ]. Previous studies have found that the knowledge level about mpox is relatively low among health professionals and students as well as among the public in various regions of world, including the Middle East [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. In the first month following the WHO alert, public concern over COVID-19 outpaced that of mpox in some countries outside Africa [ 34 ].…”

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Monkeypox Surveillance – A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…HCWs play a signi cant role in managing and lessening the effects of Mpox epidemics, which is at the heart of these essential elements [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. The relevance of HCWs' KAP towards Mpox and the need for thorough education and training programs has not been stressed enough if one analyses the literature on this subject [9][10][11]. To effectively prevent and prepare for future outbreaks, health workers' knowledge and attitudes about the Mpox outbreak response, prevention, and readiness must be improved [27].…”

“…Nations must provide healthcare workers with education and training as a top priority as the Mpox epidemic landscape changes so that they are prepared to handle potential cases and successfully support outbreak response operations [29][30][31]. Governments and health organizations can improve their overall readiness and response capacities and protect public health on a global scale by promoting a holistic strategy for Mpox education [9][10][11][12].…”

Previous Vaccination History and Psychological Factors as Significant Predictors of Willingness to Receive Mpox Vaccination and a Favorable Attitude towards Compulsory Vaccination

“…Second, the context of Mpox vaccination intention assessment in terms of place and time should be taken into account. The current study was conducted following the COVID-19 pandemic, which was accompanied by high rates of vaccination hesitancy linked to misinformation and various conspiratorial ideas that were widely prevalent in Jordan, even among health professionals [ 39 , 44 , 45 , 65 , 90 ]. Thus, a spillover of these conspiratorial ideas into the Mpox outbreak is an expected outcome and should be further investigated, considering its potential link with negative health-seeking behavior.…”