Knowledge, Attitudes and Perspectives on Monkeypox Disease and Vaccination

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and perspectives toward vaccination related to monkeypox (Mpox) disease, which is defined as an urgent public health crisis by the World Health Organization (WHO), in both healthcare workers and other segments of society to raise awareness. Method: This is a cross-sectional study conducted between 01.10.2024 and 01.11.2024 with 684 participants residing in Karabük province. A 27-question survey was used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, as well as knowledge and attitudes about Mpox disease. The participants demographic characteristics were presented as frequency and percentage. Chi-square analysis was used to assess categorical data, with a significance level of p≤0.05. Results: The average age of the participants was 31.98. Significant differences were found in terms of age, marital status, and employment status regarding knowledge of the approved Mpox vaccine and the intention to get vaccinated. The internet was the most common source of information about Mpox. 44.9% of participants expressed concern about Mpox, with women being significantly more concerned than men. Conclusion: The knowledge, attitude, and participation of all segments of society are crucial in the fight against infectious diseases. Preparing for Mpox, which poses a significant global risk, and raising public awareness will contribute to public health. It was emphasized that online sources are the main source of information, and measures to mitigate the negative effects of infodemics were thought to be beneficial.

Keywords

• monkeypox,
• knowledge,
• vaccination,

Maymun Çiçeği Hastalığı Hakkındaki Bilgi, Tutum ve Aşılamaya Yönelik Bakış Açıları

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı hem sağlık çalışanları hem de toplumun diğer kesiminde Dünya Sağlık Örgütü (DSÖ) tarafından acil halk sağlığı krizi olarak tanımlanan maymun çiçeği (Mpox) hastalığına farkındalık yaratmak için bilgi, tutum ve aşıya yönelik bakış açılarını incelemektir. Yöntem: Bu çalışma kesitsel bir çalışmadır. 01.10.2024-01.11.2024 tarihleri arasında Karabük ilinde ikamet eden 684 kişinin katılımı ile çalışma yürütüldü. Verilerin toplanması için sosyodemografik özellikler ile Mpox hastalığı hakkında bilgi ve tutumun sorgulandığı 27 soruluk anket formu kullanıldı. Kişilerin tanıtıcı özelikleri, frekans ve yüzde ile ifade edilmiştir. Kategorik verilerin değerlendirilmesindeki-kare analizi uygulanmıştır. İstatistiksel analizlerde anlamlılık düzeyi p≤0.05 olarak kabul edildi. Bulgular: Katılımcıların yaş ortalaması 31.98 yıldı. Çalışmada Mpox onaylı aşısı olduğunu bilme durumu ile Mpox aşısını yaptırma düşüncesine baktığımızda yaş, medeni durum ve çalışma durumuna göre anlamlı farklılıklar bulunmuştur. Mpox hastalığı hakkında en fazla bilgi edinme yerinin internet olduğu görülmüştür. Katılımcıların %44.9’u Mpox’tan endişelendiğini ifade etmiştir. Kadınlar erkeklerden anlamlı düzeyde daha fazla endişelenmektedir. Sonuç: Bulaşıcı hastalıklar ile mücadelede halkın her kesimin bilgisi, tutumu ve katılımı son derece önem arz etmektedir. Son dönemlerde dünya geneli için büyük risk oluşturan Mpox için hazırlıkların yapılması ve toplumun bilinçlendirilmesi halk sağlığına katkıda bulunacaktır. Bu konuda günümüzde bilgi ediniminin en çok olduğu yerin çevrimiçi kaynaklar olduğuna dikkat çekilerek infodeminin olumsuz etkilerinin önüne geçmek için alınacak önlemlerin fayda sağlayacağı düşünülmüştür.

Keywords

• Maymun çiçeği
• Bilgi
• Aşılama

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