AWARENESS OF MONKEYPOX INFECTION IN MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IN GEORGIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52340/jecm.2024.01.10Keywords:
monkeypox, Georgia, awareness, medical professionalsAbstract
The study has been undertaken to assess the level of monkeypox awareness among medical professionals in Georgia. High awareness among healthcare professionals is essential to effectively recognize and address this disease.
Between September 18, 2023, and October 18, 2023, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 101 respondents using a special questionnaire with 36 questions. Convenience sampling was used. The respondents were medical professionals from various specialties and the final years students enrolled in medical universities. The data were analyzed in Stata 14.0.
85.15% of the respondents have heard about monkeypox. But only 25.7% knew the correct time period when the first case of monkeypox infection in humans occurred. The majority knew that the first human case of monkeypox had been seen in Africa. Only few knew about the correct number of monkeypox virus strains (20.0%). Almost half of the respondents were aware of the monkeypox symptoms. But only 22.0% have responded correctly to the question regarding the incubation period. Only 14.0% were able to respond correctly to the question regarding who was getting infected with monkeypox most. 39.0% were aware of monkeypox mode of transmission. Only 38.0% of respondents knew that there existed immunization against monkeypox infection. 46.0% of respondents considered themselves capable to recognize and manage monkeypox infection to some extent. The majority of respondents answered correctly to the questions on hygiene measures to prevent monkeypox transmission.
The findings of the study have revealed a limited level of awareness among individuals with a medical background regarding monkeypox and unfortunately there was seen a tendency to obtain medical news from the unreliable sources.
It is advisable to raise awareness about monkeypox disease first of all among the primary health care professionals and encourage data seeking from the reliable sources.
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