Frontiers in Public Health (Mar 2024)

Current knowledge of human Mpox viral infection among healthcare workers in Cameroon calls for capacity-strengthening for pandemic preparedness

  • Alex Durand Nka,
  • Alex Durand Nka,
  • Alex Durand Nka,
  • Yagai Bouba,
  • Yagai Bouba,
  • Yagai Bouba,
  • Joseph Fokam,
  • Joseph Fokam,
  • Joseph Fokam,
  • Joseph Fokam,
  • Aude Christelle Ka'e,
  • Aude Christelle Ka'e,
  • Jeremiah Efakika Gabisa,
  • Jeremiah Efakika Gabisa,
  • Nadia Mandeng,
  • Nadia Mandeng,
  • Delors Jacques Toumansie Mfonkou,
  • Chenwi Collins Ambe,
  • Chenwi Collins Ambe,
  • Marie-Laure Mballa Mpouel,
  • Marie-Laure Mballa Mpouel,
  • Tatiana Djikeussi,
  • Boris Kevin Tchounga,
  • Derrick Tambe Ayuk Ngwese,
  • Derrick Tambe Ayuk Ngwese,
  • Debimeh Njume,
  • Sonia Emmanuelle Mbala Nomo,
  • Ezechiel Ngoufack Jagni Semengue,
  • Ezechiel Ngoufack Jagni Semengue,
  • Ezechiel Ngoufack Jagni Semengue,
  • Armand Tiotsia Tsapi,
  • Bernadette Bomgning Fokou,
  • Ingrid Koster Simo Kamdem,
  • Michel Carlos Tommo Tchouaket,
  • Michel Carlos Tommo Tchouaket,
  • Désiré Takou,
  • Willy Pabo,
  • Willy Pabo,
  • Willy Pabo,
  • Samuel Martin Sosso,
  • Erick Tandi,
  • Erick Tandi,
  • Linda Esso,
  • Linda Esso,
  • Georges Alain Etoundi Mballa,
  • Georges Alain Etoundi Mballa,
  • Anne-Cecile Zoung-Kanyi Bissek,
  • Halle-Ekane Gregory Edie,
  • Nicaise Ndembi,
  • Vittorio Colizzi,
  • Vittorio Colizzi,
  • Vittorio Colizzi,
  • Carlo-Federico Perno,
  • Carlo-Federico Perno,
  • Alexis Ndjolo,
  • Alexis Ndjolo

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1288139
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

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IntroductionAn increased incidence of human Monkeypox (Mpox) cases was recently observed worldwide, including in Cameroon. To ensure efficient preparedness and interventions in the health system, we sought to assess the knowledge of Mpox's transmission, prevention, and response among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Cameroon.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey was conducted among HCWs in Cameroon using 21-item questions adapted from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US-CDC) standard questionnaire on Mpox. The overall knowledge of Mpox was assessed by cumulative score and categorized as excellent (≥80%, 17/21) or good (≥70%, ≥15/21) knowledge. The regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of Mpox knowledge.ResultsThe survey enrolled 377 participants, but only responses from 342 participants were analyzed. Overall, 50.6% were female participants, and 59.6% aged 30 years or younger. The majority of the participants were medical doctors (50.3%); most worked in central-level hospitals (25.1%) and had 1–5 years of experience (70.7%). A total of up to 92.7% were aware of Mpox, with social media (58.7%) and radio/television (49.2%) as the main sources. The mean knowledge score was 14.0 ± 3.0 (4 to 20), with only 12.9% having excellent knowledge (≥80%) and 42.1% having good knowledge of Mpox. Younger age (26–30 years old) was associated with good knowledge, while workplace type was associated with excellent knowledge of Mpox (aOR [95% CI]: 4.01 [1.43–11.24]). Knowledge of treatment/management of Mpox was generally poor across the different professional categories.ConclusionKnowledge of Mpox among HCWs is substandard across different professionals. Thus, for optimal preparedness and immediate interventions for Mpox and similar emerging pathogens, capacity-strengthening programs should be organized for HCWs while encouraging scientific literature and organizational social media websites.

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