Dataset Information

Monkeypox in Syria: Highlighting an awareness issue.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) verified 780 cases of monkeypox across 27 countries between 13 May 2022 and 2 June 2022. The aim of our study was to assess the level of awareness of human monkeypox virus among Syrian medical students, general practitioners, medical residents, and specialists.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey was performed in Syria between May 2 and September 8, 2022. The survey consisted of 53 questions within the following three categories: demographic information, work-related details, and monkeypox knowledge.

Results

In total, 1257 Syrian healthcare workers and medical students were enrolled in our study. The animal host and incubation time for monkeypox were correctly identified by just 2.7% and 33.3% of responders, respectively. Sixty percent of the study sample thought that the symptoms of monkeypox and smallpox are identical. No statistically significant associations were found between predictor variables and knowledge regarding monkeypox (p-value > 0.05).

Conclusion

Education and awareness regarding monkeypox vaccinations are of paramount importance. It is essential that clinical doctors are adequately aware of this disease, in order to avoid an uncontrolled situation, as experienced with COVID-19.

SUBMITTER: Swed S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10116148 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Monkeypox in Syria: Highlighting an awareness issue.

Swed Sarya S Alibrahim Hidar H Bohsas Haidara H Aljabali Ahmed A Almoshantaf Mohammad Badr MB Sawaf Bisher B Shoib Sheikh S Patwary Muhammad Mainuddin MM Albazee Ebraheem E Lee Ka Yiu KY Farwati Amr A Seijari Mohammed Najdat MN Hafez Wael W Rakab Amine A

IJID regions 20230420

<h4>Background</h4>The World Health Organization (WHO) verified 780 cases of monkeypox across 27 countries between 13 May 2022 and 2 June 2022. The aim of our study was to assess the level of awareness of human monkeypox virus among Syrian medical students, general practitioners, medical residents, and specialists.<h4>Methods</h4>A cross-sectional online survey was performed in Syria between May 2 and September 8, 2022. The survey consisted of 53 questions within the following three categories: ...[more]

PMID: 37200559

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Project description:Monkeypox (MPOX) is a zoonotic viral disease that has re-emerged and spread to non-endemic regions, drawing global attention. Understanding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of vulnerable populations, particularly in conflict-affected areas, is crucial for effective public health responses. This community-based cross-sectional study evaluates the KAP of the general Syrian population regarding MPOX, focusing on areas affected by conflict. The study was conducted between October 25 and November 22, 2024, using a culturally adapted and validated structured online and paper-based questionnaire. A total of 2,035 responses were collected. The sample included predominantly female participants (63.8%), aged 21-30 years (41.9%), mostly married (73.4%), and urban residents (72.4%). Statistical analysis included confidence intervals (95%) and significance levels (p < 0.05). The study revealed that while 80.3% of participants understood causative factors, 81.2% transmission, 89% prevention, and 78.2% symptoms, significant knowledge gaps were identified in vaccination (13.4%) and diagnostic tests (42.7%), with 58.9% of respondents demonstrating poor overall knowledge. Negative attitudes were reported in 65.8% of participants, although urban residents exhibited slightly more positive attitudes. Good practices were observed in 73.6% of respondents, with common behaviors including isolation and frequent handwashing (58.8%). However, practices did not significantly differ across genders or marital status. Higher knowledge scores were associated with males (OR = 1.721, 95% CI= [1.42-2.07]), higher education levels (OR = 1.324, 95% CI= [1.07-1.62]), and higher incomes (OR = 2.550, 95% CI= [1.56-4.15]). The conflict-affected context likely exacerbated knowledge gaps and negative attitudes, underscoring the urgent need for culturally tailored educational campaigns and public health initiatives. These efforts are critical for improving MPOX preparedness in vulnerable populations.

Project description:BackgroundVitamin D deficiency is an importance preventable problem in the global and associates with lack levels of awareness about vitamin D. According to prior studies, in the Arab world, there is low of knowledge and awareness toward vitamin D deficiency. The target of our study is evaluating the knowledge level about vitamin D deficiency and determining the associated factors with levels of awareness of its.MethodThis online cross-sectional study was performed in Syria between 25 February to 29 March 2023 to assess the levels of knowledge about vitamin D deficiency among general Syrian population. The study's survey was obtained from previously published research and we conducted a pilot study to assure the validity and clarity questionnaire. All Syrian individuals aged 18 or older who were able to read and write and willing to participate were included, while, non-Syrian nationality individuals and all medical staff (doctors, nurses, and medical students…), as well, those under 18 age were excluded. The questionnaire consisted of 23 questions separated into four categories. The first section was sociodemographic information of the study population. The second section measured the level awareness of the study population regarding the benefits of vitamin D. In addition, the third and fourth part evaluated knowing of the respondents about sources of and toxicity consequences of vitamin D. The data were analyzed by utilizing multivariate logistic regression in IBM, SPSS V.28 version.ResultsOverall, 3172 of the study population accepted to participate in this research and 57.9% the majority of them were aged in the range among 18 and 28. While, the average age of the respondents were 30.80 ± 11.957. Regarding with the awareness toward knowledge of advantages and source of vitamin D and outcomes of vitamin D toxicity. Most of the participants mentioned that vitamin D is used to treat bone disease and rickets and contributes in maintaining calcium and phosphates (91.4% and 84.6%, respectively). Whereas, more than half of them reported that sun exposure does not cause vitamin D poisoning and that vegetarians are more likelihood to have vitamin D than non-vegetarians, (54.1% and 54.9%, respectively). Only, age and occupation out of nine predictors variables were significantly correlated with adequate knowledge of Vitamin D (p-value < 0.05). The respondents aged more than 60 years were high probability to have good recognition of Vitamin D than participants aged between 18 and 28 years. (OR = 7.95). Retired participants have shown lower aware of Vitamin D 0.38 times than students.ConclusionOur research revealed that most of the participated individuals have sufficient comprehension about vitamin D, despite, there were significant gap. Health education via programs by government health-care agencies, NGOs and social workers is necessary to increase the awareness and knowledge toward benefits, source, deficiency and toxicity of vitamin D to avoid injury several diseases such as rickets.

Project description:Background The main way to prevent blindness from Glaucoma is by early detection and diagnosis; and to do so the awareness must be raised among people where Glaucoma is defined as an acquired chronic optic neuropathy characterized by optic disk cupping and visual field loss. Lack of knowledge about this disease is one of the most important reasons that made it develop to advanced stages. Based on that, we conducted scientific research to assess peoples’ awareness and knowledge about Glaucoma. After reviewing the literature, it was found that this study is the first in Syria. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in May 2022. The study included participants, who are above 20 years old, from visitors of Al-Mouwasat University Hospital in Damascus, Syria. During one week, Data was gathered according to the questionnaire, which was presented through face-to-face interviews with participants. We have allocated one point (1) to each question. Three levels of knowledge were adopted, namely; weak level from (0) to (3), average level from (4) to (7) and good level from (8) to (11). Associations between participants' demographic and other details were tested using Chi-square test and other tests, and a p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Results A total of 500 participants were interviewed. For awareness of Glaucoma, 33.6% of the participants (n = 168) had heard of Glaucoma, and 66.4% hadn’t (n = 332). Mean test results for the knowledge of Glaucoma was 1.62 out of 11, and only 8% of participants (n = 40) had a good knowledge of Glaucoma. Education Level, governorate, and department of hospital that the patient came for significantly affected the knowledge of Glaucoma. Moreover, hospital, Ophthalmologists' Clinics, and health staff (M = 5.45) were the better Resource for information than family, relatives, and friends (M = 3.16). Finally, social media and the Internet group had the lowest mean test results (M = 1.23). These test results were significant, with a p-value < 0.001. Conclusion The percentage of knowledge and awareness was significantly low. Organized community awareness methods must disseminate more ability to increase the general public's understanding to avoid injury and late diagnosis of Glaucoma. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12886-022-02766-4.

Project description:BackgroundThe awareness of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications, especially diabetic retinopathy (DR), is the key to reducing their burden. This study aimed to assess both the awareness of diabetic outpatients and their action towards periodic eye exam, and to determine the causes of non-compliance amongst patients who were aware. Because the Syrian Crisis affected all aspects of Syrians' life, the study aimed to determine the crisis' effects on patients' care-seeking behavior. Our study was the first step in paving the way of prevention strategies.MethodsThis observational cross-section study was conducted on 260 patients with DM who were visiting the four main hospitals in the Syrian capital, Damascus between August and November 2017.ResultsThe mean (±SD) age of participants was 54.3(±12.8) years. Females were more than half (56.2%). The majority were from areas outside Damascus (72.3%). The mean (±SD) DM duration was 10.6 (±7.1) years. Almost all patients (93.8%) thought that DM could affect the eye. 67.3% believed that it could cause blindness. 86.9% of the patients conceived that DM patients should visit an ophthalmologist regularly. 37% did not visit any ophthalmologists at all, while 63% reported they had visited their ophthalmologists. Only 21.5% had a regular eye exam. Gender, educational level, economic status, province, and family history of DM had statistically an insignificant relation with an ophthalmologist visit. The preponderance of the patients who haven't visited regularly did not appreciate the necessity of regular eye exam. Diabetic neuropathy was the most common complication of DM that patients were aware of (92%) and suffered from (56.5%). Meanwhile, regarding the effects of the Syrian Crisis: 41.2% of diabetic patients had stopped their medications for at least one month, mainly because the drugs were unavailable (74.7% of them), as some drug companies had been destroyed. Half of the patients had struggled to reach a medical care center. Half of the patients had been displaced, two-third of them were from outside Damascus.ConclusionA screening program for DR should be initiated. Also, awareness about DM and its complications, especially DR, should be raised through doctors and media.

Dataset Information

Monkeypox in Syria: Highlighting an awareness issue.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Monkeypox in Syria: Highlighting an awareness issue.

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