INTRODUCTION:

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”

Benjamin Franklin Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease which is primarily seen in tropical rainforest major areas of central and West Africa. Monkeypox is a member this following family: Poxviridae, subfamily: chordopoxvirinae, genus: orthopoxviral, and species: monkeypox virus.

Historically, from 1958 to 1964 monkeypox virus were detected in monkeys in European countries such as Denmark, Netherlands and United States¹. Mpox, commonly called as monkeypox is an infectious viral disease that is seen in humans and some animals². Symptoms include a rash that forms blisters and then crusts, fever and swollen lymph nodes. The incubation period ranges from five to twenty-one days and symptoms typically last from two to four weeks. Commonly seen in children, pregnant women and people with suppressed immune systems³.

The variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox, is also a part of this genus. transmission can take place through direct contact with droplets of infected person, infected skin or body fluids and sexual contact infected animals by handling infected meat or via bites or scratches. People remain infectious from the time of onset of symptoms till all the lesions have scabbed and healed. Diagnosis can be made by confirmed PCR testing⁴.

The initial cluster of cases was found in the United Kingdom, where the first case was detected in London on 6 May 2022 in a patient with a travel history from Nigeria, where the disease is endemic. On 16 May, the UK Health Security Agency confirmed four new cases with no link to travel to a country where mpox is endemic and all four cases appeared to have been infected in London. From 18 May 2022 until May 2023, many cases were reported from several countries, predominantly in Europe, Americas, Asia and Africa⁵. On 23 July 2022, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. On 17 November 2023, there have been a total of 91,973 confirmed cases in over 113 countries⁶.

The first case was reported in India on July 14, 2022, in Kerala, and subsequent reporting of cases within intervals of 1–2 days in Delhi and Kerala primarily. Many of them had a history of international travel within last 21 days, and while majority affected were men, only two of them were women, aged 31 and 22 years. One mortality has been reported till date, that of a 22-year-old male, who had been residing in United Arab Emirates, and a contact of a confirmed case of monkeypox, had returned to his hometown in Kerala after getting tested in UAE itself. He died of a known complication of the disease, i.e., encephalitis⁴. In India, there has been progressive rise in the cases in various parts of India. There were 10 cases in India as reported till August 13th 2022 with 30 % cases (3/10) who do not have history of travel or close contact with each other. The States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Telangana also reported numerous suspected cases, however the only states with lab-confirmed monkeypox cases are Delhi and Kerala⁷.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

A study to assess the knowledge regarding monkey pox among people residing in selected rural areas of Pathanamthitta district with a view to develop an information booklet.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To assess the knowledge regarding monkey pox among people residing in selected rural areas of Pathanamthitta.

2. To find out the association between the knowledge regarding monkey pox with selected socio demographic variables.

3. To develop an information booklet on monkeypox

HYPOTHESIS:

H1: There will be significant association between knowledge and selected socio demographic variables regarding monkeypox.

METHODOLOGY:

The Non –experimental descriptive study design is used for this study. Pilot study is a trial, small scale study carried out before final research³⁰. The investigators conducted the pilot study in people residing in the selected rural areas of Pathanamthitta district. Pilot study was conducted on 2-11-2023 The purpose of the pilot study was to assess the feasibility of the study, appropriateness of the tool and decide the plan for statistical analysis. The data collection procedure was conducted on 9-11-2023. The sample was collected using convenience sampling technique from Kuttapuzha. Permission was obtained from the community setting and consent taken from the rural people Structured questionnaire used to identify the knowledge regarding monkeypox

RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

Description of socio demographic variables:

Table 1: Frequency and Percentage distribution of subject according to their age. n =40

Socio demographic variables	Frequency	Percentage
AGE
21-40	12	30%
41-60	8	20%
61-80	10	35%
81-100	7	15%
TOTAL	40	100%

Figure 1: Distribution of subject according to their ages.

Table 1 and figure 1 shows that the distribution of subjects with regards to their age. It revealed that 7 (15%) were of age 81-100 years, 8 (20%) were of age 41-60 years, 10 (35%) was of age 61-80 years and remaining 12 (30%) were of age 21-40 years.

Table 2: Frequency and percentage distribution of subject according to gender. n =40

Socio Demographic variables	Frequency	Percentage
Gender
Female	22	55%
Male	18	45%
Total	40	100%

Figure 2: Distribution of subject according to their gender.

Table 2 and figure 2 showed the distribution of subject with regards to their gender. It revealed that 18 (45%) were males and 22 (55%) were females.

Table 3: Frequency and percentage distribution of subject according to education.

Variables	Frequency	Percentage
Primary	16	40%
Higher secondary	9	22%
Degree	8	20%
Post graduate	7	18%
Total	40	100%

n=40

Figure 3: Distribution of subject according to their education

Table 3 and figure 3 shows distribution of subjects with regard to their education. It revealed that 7(18%) were post graduate, 8(20%) were degree, 9(22%) were higher secondary and 16 (40%) were primary.

Table 4: Frequency and percentage distribution of subjects according to marital status. n =40

Variables	Frequency	Percentage
Married	24	60%
Unmarried	10	25.00%
Widow and divorced	6	15.00%
Total	40	100%

Figure 4: Distribution of subject according to their marital status

Table 4 and figure 4 shows distribution of subject with regard to marital status. It revealed that 6 (15%) were widow and divorced,10 (25%) were unmarried and 24 (60%) were married.

Table 5: Frequency and percentage distribution of subject according to type of family

Variables	Frequency	Percentage
Nuclear	26	65%
Joint and extended	14	35%
Total	40	100%

n=40

Figure 5:Distribution of subject according to their type of family

Table 5 and figure 5 show that distribution of the subject with regard to their type of family. It revealed that 14 (35%) were joint and extended family and 26 (65%) were nuclear family.

Table 6: Frequency and percentage distribution of subjects according to occupation n =40

Variables	Frequency	Percentage
Government employee	14	35%
Self employee	15	38%
House wife	11	27%
Total	40	100%

Figure 6: Distribution of subject according to their occupation

Table 6 and figure 6 shows distribution of subjects with regard to their occupation. It revealed that 11(28%) were housewife, 14(35%) were Self employee and 15(38%) were Government-employee.

Table 7: Frequency and percentage distribution of subjects according to yearly income n =40

Variables	Frequency	Percentage
20000-50000 per year	19	48%
Above 50000 per year	21	52%
Total	40	100%

Figure 7: Distribution of subject according to their yearly income

Table 7 and figure 7 shows distribution of subjects with regard to their yearly income. It revealed that 19 (48%) were earning income between 20000 and 50000 per year and 21 (52%) were earning income above 50000 per year.

Table 8: Frequency and percentage distribution of subjects according to their previous knowledge about monkeypox

Variables	Frequency	Percentage
Yes	17	42%
No	23	58%
Total	40	100%

n =40

Figure 8: Distribution of subject according to their previous knowledge

Table 8 and figure 8 shows distribution of subjects with regard to their previous knowledge about monkeypox. It revealed that 17(42%) were have no knowledge about monkeypox and 23(58%) were have previous knowledge about monkeypox.

SECTION – II

Analysis of Knowledge Level of People Regarding Managemet and Prevention of Monkey Pox:

This section deals with the analysis of knowledge level of people regarding management and preventive measures of monkey pox. In order to find out the level of knowledge, a structured questionnaire is used to interpret the level of knowledge. The score was distributed as follows:

0-5 (0-25%) : Poor Knowledge

6-10 (26-50%) : Average Knowledge

11-15 (51-75%) : Good Knowledge

16-20 (76-100%) : Very Good Knowledge

Table 9 : Analysis of knowledge level of people regarding monkeypox n =40

Level of knowledge	Frequency	Percentage
Poor	17	42%
Average	13	32%
Good	7	18%
Verygood	3	8%
Total	40	100%

Figure 11: Analysis of knowledge level of people regarding monkeypox

Table 10 and figure 11 shows distribution of subjects according to level of knowledge about monkey pox. It revealed that 3(8%) were have very good knowledge, 7(18%) were have good knowledge, 13(32%) were have average knowledge and 17(42%) were have poor knowledge about monkey pox.

Table: 11 Association between knowledge of people and selected socio demographic variables

Socio demographic variables		Level of knowledge				Df	Table value	P value	Chi Square	Inference
		Poor	Average	Good	Very good
Age In Years	21-40	7	3	2	2	9	16.92		17.197	S
	41-60	1	4	1	2
	61-80	2	1	6	1
	81-100	2	1	1	4
Gender	Male	3	10	2	3	3	7.82		9.007	S
	Female	14	5	1	2
Marital status	Married	12	7	3	2	6	12.59		13.0926
	Unmarried	1	1	6	2
	Widow and divorced	2	1	1	2
Type of family	Nuclear	10	11	3	2	3	7.82		3.9984
	Joint and extended	7	2	3	2
Education	Primary	10	1	2	3	9	16.92		18.6263
	Higher secondary	2	4	2	1
	Degree	1	2	4	1
	Post graduate	1	1	1	4
Occupation	Self emoloyee	1	6	2	5	6	12.59		13.693
	Government emoloyee	8	2	3	2
	House wife	2	1	2	6
Income	20000-50000	2	10	2	5	3	7.82		16.8755
	Above 50000	10	2	8	1
Previous knowledge	Yes	5	10	2	6	3	7.82		9.8307
	No	2	3	9	3

Inferences:

1. There is an association between knowledge regarding monkey pox and age at the level of 0.05.

2. There is an association between knowledge regarding monkey pox and gender at the level of 0.05.

3. There is an association between knowledge regarding monkey pox and education at the level of 0.05.

4. There is an association between knowledge regarding monkey pox and occupation at the level of 0.05.

5. There is an association between knowledge regarding monkey pox and income at the level of 0.05.

6. There is an association between knowledge regarding monkey pox and previous knowledge at the level of 0.05.

CONCLUSION:

The present study, shows that 42% has poor knowledge, 32% has average knowledge, 18% has good knowledge and 8% has very good knowledge. This shows that most of the people residing in rural areas of Pathanamthitta has poor knowledge regarding monkeypox and the study shows a significant association between knowledge regarding monkeypox and selected socio demographic variables.

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Received on 27.11.2024 Revised on 11.02.2025

Accepted on 16.04.2025 Published on 22.05.2025

Available online from May 24, 2025

A and V Pub J. of Nursing and Medical Res. 2025;4(2):37-42.

DOI: 10.52711/jnmr.2025.10

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