Search

Background: Monkeypox outbreaks in non-endemic countries emphasize the importance of being prepared to prevent its progression to a pandemic. To effectively control monkeypox, healthcare providers must have sufficient knowledge and good attitudes and practices to limit its spread. We initiated this project to assess the factors associated with health workers' knowledge and attitude toward monkeypox in southwestern Saudi Arabia. Methods: We included 398 eligible health workers working at various health facilities. Data was collected using an online survey, and participants had an opportunity to consent. We conducted descriptive statistics for all variables and used chi-square statistics, t-test, and multivariate analysis to establish the association between health workers' demographic characteristics and knowledge of monkeypox disease. Results: The mean age was 30.93 ± 8.25 years for the included participants, and most of them were between 22 and 29 years, male, single, nurses, working in government hospitals, and had worked for at least five years. The chi-square and t-test showed that the participants' knowledge level was significantly related to age, marital status, job title, and medical practice. Most of the participants had low knowledge and good attitudes toward monkeypox prevention measures. Multivariate analysis showed that higher knowledge was associated with younger age after controlling all other significant bivariate relationships between knowledge and demographics. Conclusions: This study found low knowledge levels and high good attitude levels of monkeypox among the participants. As such, there is a need to support health workers in understanding monkeypox epidemiology, prevention, and treatment. Therefore, Saudi Arabia will be making significant strides to being well prepared and ready to handle future monkeypox outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Interventional radiology (IR) utilizes minimally invasive procedures guided by imaging to diagnose and treat various conditions, offering less invasive alternatives to traditional surgery. Despite its importance, awareness among family medicine practitioners can vary, affecting patient care. While IR has advanced in Saudi Arabia, there are limited data on family medicine practitioners' understanding of IR. This study assesses awareness of IR procedures among family medicine doctors in Jazan and their perceived need for further education. Methods A cross-sectional interview-administered survey was conducted online among family medicine doctors in Jazan via social media. The survey assessed demographic data, awareness of IR procedures, self-rated knowledge, and attitudes towards IR. Participants' understanding of IR training, hospital privileges, outpatient clinics, and recognition by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS) was evaluated. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Results Out of 395 respondents, the age distribution was as follows: 20-29 years (44.3%), 30-39 years (32.9%), and 40 years or older (22.8%). Gender distribution was as follows: females (44.6%) and males (55.4%). Specialties included family medicine consultants (10.6%), residents (32.4%), specialists (22.8%), and general practitioners (34.2%). Awareness of IR procedures varied: uterine fibroid embolization (58.7%), coronary angiography (57.5%), vascular angioplasty (63.5%), radiofrequency ablation (61.3%), peripheral vascular bypass (61.8%), brain biopsy (56.2%), nephrostomy tube placement (59.5%), varicose veins treatment (63.0%), and cystoscopic tumor resection (54.7%). Self-rated knowledge was as follows: poor (46.8%), adequate (27.1%), good (15.7%), and excellent (10.4%). Most believed that interventional radiologists' training was in radiology (62.8%), with fewer attributing it to vascular surgery (20.5%) or a combination (16.7%). Regarding privileges and facilities, 248 (62.8%) reported hospital admitting privileges for IRs, 251 (63.5%) reported outpatient clinics, and 45 (11.4%) were unsure about admitting privileges. SCHS recognition was confirmed by 267 (67.6%). Referrals to IRs were made by 283 (71.6%), and 260 (65.8%) would increase referrals with more knowledge. The perceived benefit of additional education was as follows: no benefit (48.4%), some benefit (30.6%), and significant benefit (21.0%). Conclusion The study reveals gaps in awareness and knowledge of IR among family medicine doctors in Jazan. While there is recognition of IR's value and a willingness to refer patients, variations in knowledge highlight the need for targeted educational interventions. Improving education on IR could enhance integration into patient care and optimize outcomes., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Jazan Health Cluster Ethics Committee issued approval 2423. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Hendi et al.)