A Comparative Study of Monkeypox Cases in Various Countries with Economic Status

Abstract

Objectives The current unprecedented monkeypox outbreaks and spread among nonendemic countries have led to an increased number of cases globally. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the monkeypox cases among the countries as per their economic status. Methods A total of 103 countries reported monkeypox cases as of September 6, 2022. These countries were classified as high-income countries (58), upper-middle-income countries (26), and low-middle-income countries (19). Two parameters of data such as the number of monkeypox cases reported and the economic category of each country were extracted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Bank for economic status. Frequencies and percentages are two parameters exhibited in this study analysis. Results Among high-income countries, the United States of America reported the highest number of cases (21,893; 46.34%), followed by Spain (6749; 14.28%), France (3785; 8%), Germany (3530; 7.47%), and the United Kingdom (3484; 7.37%). Among upper-middle-income countries, the highest reported cases was in Brazil (5726; 59.45%), followed by Peru (1760; 18.27%), Colombia (938; 9.74%), and Mexico (788; 8.18%), whereas lower-middle-income countries reported the highest number of cases in Nigeria (220; 34.0%), followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo (195; 30.14%) and Bolivia (103; 15.92%). Overall, high-income countries reported the majority of monkeypox cases (47,248; 82%), followed by upper-middle-income countries (9632; 17%) and lower-middle-income countries (647; 1%). Conclusions The result of this preceding study serves as a benchmark for various ministries and health authorities in the management of policies according to economic status to deal with different public health outbreaks. Furthermore, economic countries need to intensify the response actions, prioritizing detection, surveillance, and community engagement to reduce new cases and bring an end to this endemic.

Keywords

• economic status
• high income
• low-middle income
• monkeypox cases
• upper-middle income