A cross-sectional survey of public knowledge of the monkeypox disease in Nigeria

Bibliographic Data

ID15376072
AuthorsAhmad I Al-Mustapha (0000-0001-6328-4088, University of Helsinki, corresponding author), Oluwaseun Adeolu Ogundijo (0000-0002-7888-8279, University of Ibadan), Nafisah Ayinde Sikiru (0009-0000-3076-1722, Federal University Kashere), Barakat Olajumoke Kolawole (0000-0001-9549-4987, Kwara State University), Barakat Kolawole, Muftau Oyewo (African Field Epidemiology Network), Hager Elnadi (Université de Tours), Hager El-Nadi, Ashiru Mohammed Mustapha (Federal University Birnin Kebbi), Lucky Icomiare Adebudo (0009-0008-6012-8109, University of Benin Teaching Hospital), Adesoji Odukoya (0000-0002-1159-9341, African Field Epidemiology Network), Emmanuella Chinenye Asiegbu (African Field Epidemiology Network), Magdalene B Nanven (African Field Epidemiology Network), Taibat Lawal-Atolagbe (National Hospital Abuja), Fatima Lawal-Lah, Oladayo David Awoyale (0000-0002-3315-1409), Ahmed Tijani Abubakar (0000-0002-0988-9825, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention), Kabiru Sahabi (Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital), Zaharaddeen Shuaibu Babandi (0009-0004-8229-0642, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital), Zaharadeen S Babandi
Year2023
Volume23
Issue1
Pages591-591
Publication date2023-03-29
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBMC Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1471-2458 • E-ISSN: 1471-2458
PublisherBioMed Central (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1186/s12889-023-15398-0
PMID36991417
OpenAlexW4361289897
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited27

The Monkeypox Disease (MPXD) gained attention due to its widened geographical distribution outside of Africa, Hence, a it was declared a global health emergency. The index case in Europe was from a Nigerian traveller. This study assessed public awareness and knowledge of the MPXD by conducting an online, cross-sectional survey of educated Nigerians. A total of 822 respondents were recruited using the snowball sampling method between the 16th to 29th of August 2022. More responses were retrieved from the Northeastern geopolitical region (30.1%, n=220) than other regions. Descriptive statistics revealed that 89% (n=731/822) of the study participants were aware of the MPXD but only 58.7% (n=429/731) of them had good knowledge of the disease with a mean knowledge score of 5.31±2.09. The main knowledge gaps were in the incubation period of the disease, the signs and symptoms, its mode of transmission, and preventive practices needed to curb the spread of the monkeypox virus (MPXV). Specifically, only 24.5% (n=179) of them knew that MPXV can be transmitted via sexual contact. Most of the study participants (79.2%, n=651) opined that we can prevent the occurrence of public health emergencies in the future. The multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that of the socio-demographic variables, the male gender (OR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.22,2.33); Ph.D. level education (1.44; 95% CI: 1.048,4.23); and being homosexual (OR:1.65; 95% CI: 1.07,3.78) were significantly associated with good knowledge of MPXD. Despite the varying prevalence across the country, the region of residence within Nigeria did not influence the knowledge of MPXD among the respondents. The knowledge gaps necessitate intensified public health risk communication with a focus on modes of transmission and the preventive measures needed to curb the spread of the MPXV

Biostatistics · Cross-sectional study · Descriptive statistics · Environmental health · Logistic regression · Monkeypox · Nigerians · Pathology · Public health · Snowball sampling · Demography · Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments · Medicine · Nursing · Plant Virus Research Studies · Poxvirus research and outbreaks · Epidemiology

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