Nursing Students’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Monkeypox Virus: A Cross-Sectional Survey at the University of Palermo, 2022

Background: Human monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), endemic in Central and West Africa. A signi cant 2022 outbreak affected 104 coun- tries, driven by increased susceptibility due to the cessation of smallpox vaccination, global travel, and interactions with infected animals. Strengthening surveillance, public health measures, and raising awareness are essential for early diagnosis, vaccination acceptanceand preventing future outbreaks. Methods: The survey was distributed to 645 nursing students of the University of Palermo between July 2022 and August 2022, and we esti- mated the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors through a KAP Survey. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, while chi-squared, Fisher’s exact, and Student’s t-tests were employed to analyze differences between groups, with statistical signi cance set at p < 0.05. At least 80% of the students surveyed had already taken the microbiology exam, as microbiology is studied in the rst year of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Palermo. Results: The survey showed a predominantly young, female nursing student population with limited knowledge of monkeypox, as only 3.88% demon- strated adequate understanding. Despite this, attitudes toward prevention were positive, with 82.64% scoring adequately and 41.09% expressing strong willingness to get vaccinated. Knowledge improved with academic progression (p = 0.005), while attitudes and behaviors remained consistent. These ndings imply a critical gap in education; the limited knowl- edge, especially regarding transmission and severity, may lead to an underestimation of the risks associated with global infectious diseases. This underscores the need to better pre- pare future healthcare professionals for public health emergencies Conclusions: The study found that nursing students had limited knowledge of monkeypox, especially regarding epidemiology and disease severity. Despite positive attitudes toward vaccination, some behaviors re ected an underestimation of global infection risks. Knowledge improved with academic progression, underscoring the importance of education. Targeted educational programs are needed to enhance awareness and preparedness for future outbreaks.