Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Monkeypox Among Healthcare Professionals in Lahore

Abstract

Background: Monkeypox (Mpox), a re-emerging zoonotic disease, poses a growing threat to global health, especially in non-endemic regions. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) serve as the first line of defense against such outbreaks. However, limited local evidence exists on the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among HCPs in Pakistan, hindering targeted intervention strategies. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to monkeypox among healthcare professionals in Lahore, with a focus on the influence of gender, professional role, and clinical exposure on KAP outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthcare professionals (n = 60) from selected hospitals in Lahore between December 2024 and March 2025. Participants aged 18–65 years, directly involved in patient care, were selected via stratified random sampling. Those with prior monkeypox-specific training were excluded. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing demographic data and monkeypox-related KAP. The study was ethically approved and conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v27, applying descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, chi-square tests, and Pearson correlation to explore associations. Results: Significant positive correlations were observed between knowledge, attitude, and practice scores (r = 0.945, 0.853, and 0.841 respectively; p < 0.01). Male participants showed higher KAP scores than females (knowledge: 23.02 ± 5.30 vs. 16.56 ± 1.64, p < 0.001). Clinical exposure to monkeypox was associated with markedly better knowledge (25.56 ± 0.50 vs. 15.88 ± 2.23, p < 0.001). Among professional groups, paramedics scored highest, followed by nurses and doctors. These findings underscore disparities in preparedness levels among healthcare subgroups. Conclusion: The study reveals notable deficiencies in monkeypox-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices among healthcare professionals, particularly among doctors and female staff. Role-specific, experiential training programs are essential to enhance clinical preparedness and ensure effective outbreak control in human healthcare settings.