Abstract:
Monkeypox (Mpox) caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a zoonotic viral infection, that has recently become a prominent public health issue with its rapid spread worldwide outside endemic areas in Central and West Africa. Initially reported in 1958, Mpox is transmitted through animal-to-human and human-to-human contact, with fever, rash, and lymphadenopathy that lasts 2–4 weeks. The outbreak of Mpox 2022, being a public health emergency reported by WHO, made it important to have greater awareness among university students, who are the future health advocates of community health practices The aim of this study was to assess the Mpox and its prevention awareness among semigovernment university students in Islamabad, Pakistan, and compare the awareness levels between non-health and health sciences students. The study bridged a very important gap since previous studies had not assessed Mpox awareness among this population group in Islamabad, even though the first reported case of Mpox in Pakistan was seen in April 2023. A quantitative cross-sectional study was done among 400 students aged 18–25 years, carried out by using convenience sampling. A validated questionnaire, made using Google Forms gathered data of demographics, awareness of Mpox's nature, modes of transmission, symptoms, prevention, and treatment. Data analysis was done using SPSS through the use of descriptive and correlation analysis in evaluating and comparing awareness. Ethical guidelines placed emphasis on participant comfort to ensure voluntary participation, informed consent, and confidentiality, and approval from an ethical review committee was obtained. Findings showed substantial knowledge gaps. Just 39.3% accurately acknowledged Mpox as a viral infection, and 32.8% its African endemic status. Knowledge of transmission was low, with 32.3% recognizing animal-to-human transmission and 34.0% human-to-human transmission. Symptom recognition was unbalanced, with 35.8% recognizing flu-like presentation but just 33.8% lymphadenopathy as a distinguishing feature. Preventive practices were not well understood, with fewer than 36% knowing hand hygiene or staying away from contaminated materials. Treatment practices were also not well known, with 34.3% knowing antiviral. In total, 41.5% of students had good knowledge, and 44.5% had poor knowledge. There was a significant difference (p < 0.001) between health sciences students (80.5% good knowledge) and non-health sciences students (22.2% good knowledge), showing the effect of academic exposure.
