The discovery of large knowledge gaps among HCWs on the clinical traits that set Mpox apart from diseases like smallpox, chickenpox, and influenza was one of the study's major findings. Concerns about the effectiveness of preventive measures were also raised due to the lack of knowledge surrounding the Mpox vaccination and its treatment. These knowledge gaps underscore the necessity of focused educational initiatives to increase HCWs' comprehension of Mpox, allowing them to correctly diagnose and manage cases and significantly advance efforts to control the illness. The study also identified a range of perspectives held by HCWs towards the prevention and management of Mpox. While some people campaigned for Mpox vaccination and preventive measures and voiced positive attitudes, others showed hesitation or uncertainty in doing so. Because of this variation, educational programs must be specifically designed to address each person's thoughts and worries. This promotes a more coordinated and proactive approach to the prevention and control of Mpox. The analysis of HCWs' practices also revealed disparities in the levels of assurance among the various HCWs, with doctors generally demonstrating higher levels of assurance in Mpox diagnosis and management than nurses. Through focused training and professional development opportunities, it is possible to address these disparities in practice confidence, improve overall preparation, and standardize Mpox management strategies among HCWs.
HCWs were evaluated by Alshahrani et al. [15] using a self-reported survey that was disseminated via Twitter and WhatsApp. They discovered that a sizable proportion of the sample had little work experience and reported a response rate of 88.4%. During their medical education, only 18.6% of the participants had heard of Mpox, which suggests a serious lack of knowledge. The clinical features of Mpox, how it differs from other diseases, and how the condition is managed, including the use of the vaccine and medicinal care, were also noteworthy areas of ignorance. Self-reported questionnaires were sent via the institutional system by Bates et al [16], who attained a response rate of 10.97%. The study found that participants' views on the threat posed by Mpox and its subsequent containment varied widely. Although some people claimed to have had Mpox in the past and to have had the smallpox vaccine, it was not consistently found that people had a strong intention to adopt preventive measures. A self-reported questionnaire was used by Das et al [17] with a high response rate of 93% via WhatsApp and Twitter. A significant fraction of the sample had more than seven years of job experience, according to the study. Notably, whereas sociodemographic characteristics had no impact on knowledge levels, learning about Mpox in medical school had a largely positive attitude impact. The response rate was not stated in Hasan et al's [18] self-reported questionnaire that was disseminated via Google Forms. Less than one-third of the participants were found to have a decent understanding of Mpox, although a sizable majority displayed a favorable attitude toward preventative measures. Knowledge was positively connected with recent awareness of the disease and with learning about Mpox in the medical curriculum. Knowledge was also positively correlated with a positive outlook. A self-reported questionnaire was used by Miraglia et al. [19] via WhatsApp and Twitter, with a response rate of 59%. A wide range of healthcare workers participated in the survey, with nurses and midwives making up the majority. Less than two-thirds of HCWs were able to accurately identify the ailment, contributing to a relatively low total knowledge score. While just a tiny number of HCWs believed the illness could be prevented, the survey showed that individuals with less work experience and those who learned about Mpox through scholarly journals had better experience. A self-reported survey that was circulated via WeChat was employed by Peng et al. [20], and the response rate was not disclosed. According to the study, healthcare professionals (HCWs) over 50, particularly those who work in dermatology, venereal diseases, or infectious diseases, have a good attitude towards Mpox and are more informed about the disease. 5.5% of people responded to a self-reported survey that Ricco et al. [21] used and distributed via Google Forms. The study found that there were numerous Mpox-related knowledge gaps and that knowledge levels were generally fairly poor. In addition, Mpox was not given the respect it deserved as a pathogen compared to other communicable diseases, and only slightly more than half of the participants supported the use of vaccination to eradicate Mpox. Sallam et al [22] used a self-reported Google Forms questionnaire, although they did not specify the response rate. A wide range of HCWs participated in the study, and about half of them agreed that male homosexuals contributed to the spread of Mpox. While many respondents felt confident in their ability to diagnose Mpox, fewer felt confident in their ability to treat and diagnose patients based on their present knowledge and skills, with physicians and nurses expressing higher levels of confidence in diagnosis and management. With an unclear response rate, Shafei et al.'s self-reported survey was circulated via Twitter and WhatsApp. The survey found that despite the majority lack of confidence in their ability to identify or treat the illness, around one-third of the respondents were aware of Mpox. However, those who obtained information about Mpox during residency or medical school reported having more confidence when treating Mpox patients. Sobaikhi et al.'s self-reported survey was distributed via Twitter and WhatsApp, but the response rate was not disclosed [24]. The survey found that most participants had positive views and little knowledge of how to prevent Mpox. Knowledge levels were connected with age, marital status, job title, and medical practice, with younger participants having more knowledge.
Across the European and North American continents, epidemics such as Mpox have become a severe burden. Evidence points to a significant increase in the frequency and intensity of such outbreaks, calling for all nations to take extensive preventative and remedial action [25–27]. HCWs play a significant role in managing and lessening the effects of Mpox epidemics, which is at the heart of these essential elements [15–24]. 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 [9–11]. 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]. Health systems can more effectively respond to Mpox outbreaks and safeguard populations from their potential spread by providing HCWs with the requisite KAP [27].
Mpox-associated KAP is positively correlated in the past, indicating that those who have a strong understanding also frequently have a favourable attitude toward the illness [15]. However, additional explanatory research is still required to investigate any possible connections between knowledge, attitudes, and levels of trust regarding Mpox. In our review, we also examined the variables affecting HCWs’ levels of confidence in handling Mpox cases. When compared to informal sources of information, formal education through a structured medical curriculum was found to be more successful at boosting knowledge and confidence [27–28]. 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 [29–31]. 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 [9–12].
Some limitations need to be taken into account concerning this investigation. The use of self-reported questionnaires as the main technique of data collecting is a serious drawback. Self-reporting could be biased by participants giving socially acceptable answers or exaggerating their understanding of and usage of Mpox. Additionally, because participants can have trouble accurately recalling previous events or educational exposures, self-reported findings may be subject to recall bias. Another drawback is the variation in participant profiles and KAP rating methodologies among the chosen research. Variations in the design of the questionnaire, the methods used for distribution, and the participant demographics could bring confounding factors into the analysis. Additionally, the various educational backgrounds, professional jobs, and work histories of the HCWs could have an impact on their responses to and attitudes regarding Mpox, thereby leading to variances in the results. Additionally, some of the studies had rather low response rates, which can raise questions regarding the sample's representativeness and possible biases in the selection process. Low response rates could leave out the perspectives of some HCWs, providing an inadequate picture of their KAP towards Mpox. Furthermore, the non-response bias might make it harder to extrapolate the study's conclusions to a larger group of HCWs. Furthermore, the discrepancies in HCWs' knowledge and attitudes may be caused by the lack of uniformity in Mpox-related education across various healthcare facilities and areas. The lack of a standardized educational program tailored to Mpox may cause disparities in the readiness and responsiveness of HCWs from various backgrounds.