Improving Control of the Mpox Outbreak: A National Cross-Sectional Study on the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Influencing Factors among Frontline Health Professionals in Ethiopia

Getahun Fetensa¹Bizuneh Wakuma^1*Merga Besho¹Girma Yadesa²Jilcha Gugsa³Darara Girma⁴Feyiso Bati⁵Kitesa Biresa Duftu⁶Tadesse Tolosa⁷

• ¹Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia
• ²Dire Dawa University, Dire Dawa, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
• ³Oromia Physician Association, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• ⁴Department of Public Health, College of Health Science, Salale University, Fithe, Ethiopia
• ⁵Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Dire Dawa University, Dire Dawa, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
• ⁶Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
• ⁷Department of Public Health, Institutes of Health Sciences, Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia

Introduction: Mpox is a global public health concern, with on-going outbreaks in non-endemic countries affecting various aspects of the health care system. This study aims to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and factors associated with Mpox among health professionals in Ethiopia.A national cross-sectional study was conducted in Ethiopia from August 31 to September 10, 2024, involving 749 frontline health professionals. An online survey was administered via Google forms, with questionnaires distributed through selected social media platforms specifically Email, Telegram, and WhatsApp targeting active channels for health professionals. Participants were recruited using a snowball sampling technique to ensure a diverse representation of frontline health workers.Result: A total of 749 health professionals participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 93.6%. Over half (56.5%) of the participants demonstrated good knowledge, while 51.5% showed a positive attitude toward Mpox. Being male (AOR=1.61), being in the age group of 25-30 years (AOR=2.29), and COVID-19 vaccination history (AOR=1.84) were the statistically significant factors affecting knowledge of health professionals toward Mpox. For attitudes toward Mpox, significant associations were found with good knowledge (AOR=1.41), being male (AOR=2.07), having a diploma (AOR=1.96), earning a monthly income between 8018-9057 ETB (AOR=2.83), and being an Orthodox religion follower (AOR=1.65).The knowledge and attitude toward Mpox and its prevention among health professionals in Ethiopia is found to be suboptimal. Significant efforts are needed to control and prevent outbreaks in Ethiopia by enhancing the capacity of health professionals. Factors such as a history of COVID-19 vaccination, male sex, and age group of 25-30 were significantly associated with knowledge of the disease and its prevention. Moreover, male sex, a diploma education level, monthly income, and being an Orthodox religion follower were linked to positive attitudes toward Mpox and its prevention. Further researches are needed to uncover the perceived challenges of controlling the outbreak among the potential stakeholders including health professionals working in rural areas to underpin the current findings.