Monkeypox Preparedness in Pakistani Healthcare Workforce:Monkeypox Preparedness in Pakistani Healthcare Workforce: Assessing the Gaps: Monkeypox Preparedness in Pakistani Healthcare Workforce

Syed Razi Haider  Zaidi; Tahir Mahmud; Muhammad Nauman; Mughees  Ahmad; Atika  Tahir; Muhammad Faizan Shafi Khan

doi:10.66344/jpad.v36i1.3332

Authors

Syed Razi Haider Zaidi Department of Community Medicine, King Edward Medical University, Lahore
Tahir Mahmud Department of Community Medicine, Shalamar Institute of Medical & Dental College, Lahore
Muhammad Nauman 3rd year MBBS students, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore
Mughees Ahmad 3rd year MBBS students, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore
Atika Tahir 3rd year MBBS students, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore
Muhammad Faizan Shafi Khan 3rd year MBBS students, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66344/jpad.v36i1.3332

Keywords:

Monkey pox, preparedness, healthcare workers of Pakistan

Abstract

Background: The 2022–2025 global Monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak highlighted critical gaps in healthcare providers’ preparedness worldwide. Prior studies in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia have reported that only one-quarter to one-half of clinicians retain adequate knowledge and confidence in the diagnosis and management of Mpox. This study evaluates Mpox awareness, attitudes, confidence, and information sources among healthcare workers in Pakistan. Objective: To assess the level of Monkeypox knowledge, self-reported diagnostic and management confidence, perceived barriers, and the association of these factors with demographic and professional characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was administered to 81 healthcare providers (96.3% physicians; 3.7% nurses/others). Participants reported their familiarity with Monkeypox sources of information, symptom recognition, confidence in diagnosis and case management, guideline awareness, perceived barriers, and concern about infection. Chi-square analysis examined the relationship between years of clinical experience and confidence levels. Results: While 95.0% of respondents were at least somewhat familiar with Mpox, only 16.3% felt very confident in diagnosing cases and 15.2% in managing them. Awareness of national/international guidelines stood at 42.5%. Key barriers included lack of training (55.0%) and resources (36.2%). Concern about personal infection was high (90.0% reporting at least some concern). More experienced providers reported significantly greater confidence (p=0.010). Conclusion: Pakistani healthcare workers demonstrate moderate Mpox awareness but suboptimal confidence and guideline familiarity. Targeted educational programs, incorporation of Mpox modules into medical and nursing curricula, and resource allocation for training are urgently needed to bolster outbreak preparedness in Pakistan.

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Monkeypox Preparedness in Pakistani Healthcare Workforce:Monkeypox Preparedness in Pakistani Healthcare Workforce: Assessing the Gaps