Level of Knowledge Regarding Mpox among Peruvian Physicians during the 2022 Outbreak: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Due to the high incidence of mpox in Peru and the poor knowledge about this disease among healthcare workers in non-endemic countries, it is crucial to determine the knowledge status of Peruvian physicians. Methodology: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study based on an online survey from August to September 2022. Physicians who had a medical license and lived and practiced medicine in Peru were included. To evaluate the factors associated with a higher level of knowledge, we used crude (cPR) and adjusted (aPR) prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using Poisson regression. Results: We included 463 physicians. The mean age was 36.6 (SD: 10.3) years, and most were male (58.1%). Regarding knowledge, the median knowledge score was 14 [IQR: 13 to 15] out of 17 points. In terms of knowledge gaps, only 60.7% of the participants knew that there was an FDA-approved vaccine for mpox, 49.0% of participants knew about mpox proctitis and 33.3% acknowledged that it could be transmitted by the bite of an infected rodent. We found that taking care of patients with mpox (aPR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.72) was associated with higher knowledge (>p50), while living in the eastern macro-region (aPR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.42 to 0.93) was associated with lower knowledge (≤p50). Conclusions: Our study showed a high level of knowledge about mpox among Peruvian physicians. However, educational campaigns may be necessary, especially for physicians from the eastern region and those who do not have clinical experience with mpox.

Knowledge of the monkeypox 2022 outbreak among dental hygienists and students in Saudi Arabia: A cross‐sectional study

“…Merely 33.3% understood that a bite from an infected rodent could transmit MPX. 31 It is recommended that high-risk populations, healthcare professionals and those working closely with patients receive smallpox vaccinations. 32 The primary constraint of our investigation was that participants' understanding of MPX, assessed cross-sectionally, could evolve over time.…”

“…A comparable study involving physicians in Peru revealed that just 60.7% of respondents were aware of an FDA‐approved vaccine for MPX. Merely 33.3% understood that a bite from an infected rodent could transmit MPX 31 . It is recommended that high‐risk populations, healthcare professionals and those working closely with patients receive smallpox vaccinations 32 …”

Sources of information on monkeypox virus infection. A systematic review with meta-analysis

“…The combination of radio and television accounted for 45% (95% CI: 31-60%; 4207 participants; 7 studies; I 2 = 99%) (Figure S5) (21)(22)(23)29,34,36,37). In the case of newspapers, it accounted for 15% (95% CI: 05-27%; 2841 participants; 6 studies; I 2 = 99%) (Figure S6) (21,23,28,(39)(40)(41).…”

“…Friends and relatives accounted for 18% (95% CI 10-28%; 16551 participants; 18 studies; I 2 = 100%) (Figure S7) (19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)40,41). World Health Organization (WHO) websites accounted for 17% (95% CI 07-29%; 1656 participants; 3 studies; I 2 = 97%) (Figure S8) (28,31,39), whereas Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) websites contributed 10% (95% CI 03-21%; 2378 participants; 3 studies; I 2 = 98%) (Figure S9) (20,31,39).…”

“…The combination of WHO and CDC websites comprised 60% (95% CI 48-72%; 1828 participants; 4 studies; I 2 = 96%) (Figure S10) (21,23,25,35). Finally, scienti c articles and journals accounted for 23% (95% CI 13-34%; 4856 participants; 12 studies; I 2 = 99%) (Figure S11) (21,23,25,27,(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41).…”