Determinants of knowledge and attitudes toward Mpox among medical students: A cross-sectional study from Kurdistan region of Iraq

by Ibrahim A. Naqid, Ahmed A.

Mosa, Nawfal R. Hussein, Iman Haji Yaseen, Kareen Yarwant Naisan, Israa Taher Shuker, Sidra Anwar Kadhim, Aveen Saleem Shareef, Mina A.

Almohammed Introduction and Objectives Mpox is a re-emerging zoonotic viral infection that has recently caused widespread outbreaks in previously non-endemic regions, becoming an international public health concern. Medical students are future healthcare workers (HCWs); they play a critical role in public health initiatives and targeted preventive measures.

Therefore, it’s necessary to assess and enhance their knowledge and attitude concerning new emerging infectious diseases like Mpox. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to fill the literature gap by assessing medical students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding Mpox infection in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Additionally, the study intends to demonstrate a correlation between knowledge and attitudes levels and demographic characteristics. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out in Duhok Province, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, from January 30, 2024, to April 4, 2024, involving a total of 330 medical students.