AWARENESS OF MONKEY POX VIRUS

ABSTRACT

This study focused on awareness of Monkey Pox Virus (MPV) in Nigeria.  This was a A descriptive questionnaire-based cross-sectional study design was used with 42 study participants. The study population comprised of senior clerkship medical students at Niger Delay University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH). Results were presented in the form of tables, charts, graphs and narratives. Cut-off points were set based on percentage awareness and attitude distributions and median scores obtained. The findings of the study revealed that awareness concerning Monkey pox virus and Monkey pox virus Viral Disease are adequate and favourable. The study recommended that a more pro-active role in vaccine trials especially for conditions of high importance such as Monkey pox virus is needed

AWARENESS OF MONKEY POX VIRUS

CHAPTER ONE:

INTRODUCTION

1.0.BACKGROUND

In many regions of the world, the incidence of morbidity, mortality, and epidemics has increased in recent years due to the reappearance and evolution of numerous animal-borne diseases. The number of human monkeypox cases being reported have risen exponentially over the past 20 years, more than the total number of cases over the previous 45 years since its first discovery (WHO, 2019,Yinka-Ogunleye et al., 2018; Rimoin et al., 2010).  Whilst the cessation of smallpox vaccination might be an that has arisen from increased human contact with previously undetected endemically infected humans (Nigeria CDC, 2018; Durski et al., 2018a; Faye et al., 2018). The exact zoonotic origin and the specific role(s) of environmental and ecological factors in the Nigeria outbreak are not yet known.New cases of monkeypox continue to be detected in Nigeria (Nigeria CDC, 2018) affecting children and adults of all ages. The majority of confirmed monkeypox cases are under 40 years with a median age of 31 years. Notably, these people were born after global vaccination programs for smallpox were discontinued in 1978.

Monkeypox is an orthopox virus that causes vesicopapular lesions on the skin and is closely linked to smallpox. Most people recover within a few weeks, and symptoms are typically self-limiting. Only immunosuppressed people typically experience severe sickness and death (Yinka Ogunleye et al 2017).Monkeypox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. CDC. (2015) Symptoms begin with fever, headache, muscle pains, swollen lymph nodes, and feeling tired (CDC 2015). This is then followed by a rash that forms blisters and crusts over. The time from exposure to onset of symptoms is around 10 days. the duration of symptoms is typically 2 to 5 weeks (CDC 2015) The virus can spread both from animal to human and from human to human. Infection from animal to human can occur via an animal bite or by direct contact with an infected animal’s bodily fluids. The virus can spread from human to human by both respiratory (airborne) contact and contact with infected person’s bodily fluids. Risk factors for transmission include sharing a bed, room, or using the same utensils as an infected patient. Increased transmission risk associated with factors involving introduction of virus to the oral mucosa. Kantele et al (2016) Incubation period is 10–14 days. Prodromal symptoms include swelling of lymph nodes, muscle pain, headache, fever, prior to the emergence of the rash. The rash is usually only present on the trunk but has the capacity to spread to the palms and soles of the feet, occurring in a centrifugal distribution. The initial macular lesions exhibit a papular, then vesicular and pustular appearance. Kantele A, Chickering K, Vapalahti O, Rimoin AW (2016).

According to the World Health Organization, the greatest outbreak of monkeypox, with more than 200 confirmed cases happening in Nigeria in 2019, marked the start of the latest revival (WHO). Additionally, they stated that Israel, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Singapore, and four other non-African regions were all hit by monkeypox (Kabuga 2019; WHO 2019). Nigeria has reported 357 suspected and 133 confirmed cases from January to 24 July 2022. The first verified case of a monkeypox outbreak was announced in Nigeria’s Bayelsa State in October 2017, however suspected cases first started to be reported in September (NCDC 2017 available at https://ncdc.gov.ng/news/109/press-release%3A-hmh-update-on-monkeypox). The disease was last documented in Nigeria in 1978, yet the outbreak is still going strong today, with exporting cases making it to the UK, Israel, and Singapore (WHO 2019).Since 1980, when smallpox was eradicated, the monkeypox virus has been one of the most pathogenic poxviruses. However, its recent resurgence posed a threat to global health with (WHO) declaring it to be a public health emergency in July 2022. Due to its alarming global cause, combined efforts should be made to raise awareness by promoting preventative measures, such as educating healthcare workers and the general public about early detection, response activities, and rapid risk assessment.

1.2 Statement of Problem

As the threat of monkeypox looms throughout the globe, Public health authorities in Nigeria have stepped up awareness initiatives to combat the continuing outbreak in Nigeria. In order to raise the disease’s awareness among citizens, the various State Ministry of Health have launched a sensitization campaign in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO). Most of the currently available data on monkeypox comes from individual case or outbreak reports, and from passive intermittent surveillance, all of which do not portray an accurate overall picture. The rapid response by the Nigerian CDC (Nigeria CDC, 2018) to the ongoing monkeypox outbreak is example of how a locally led integrated Human-Animal Disease Surveillance and Response system can be used effectively to define the outbreak, and points the way forward for other African countries. Monkey pox virus  is a serious disease that could claim millions of life, with the increase in spread of disease that has being recorded become a threat or danger to the entire human race; due to lack of information and awareness that are not in place for the masses, which can be through online information and awareness system that were not available, these lead to the risk of outbreak and re-outbreak of the diseases. It’s a key issue that, there is need for urgent solution as medical personnel and general public might be affected during or before reaching medical centers and put all at risk of infection of the disease

1.3.RESEARCH QUESTIONS 

• Is the level of awareness concerning Monkey pox virus in Nigeria satisfactory?
• Do Nigerians possess attitudes favourable enough to influence their preparedness in terms of prevention of transmission and spread of Monkey pox virus?
• Are the practices of Nigerians appropriate enough as to impact positively on Monkey pox virus prevention and control?

1.4.STUDY OBJECTIVES

The general objective of this study is to assess the level of awareness of monkey pox virus in Nigeria. The specific objectives include:

1)   To determine  the level of awareness  concerning Monkey pox virus in Nigeria.

2)   To examine the  attitudes of Nigerians towards the prevention of transmission and spread of Monkey pox virus.

3)   To evaluate the  practices of Nigerians on Monkey pox virus prevention and control.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The  findings of this study will be useful in many ways. It shall be of great importance to the key players in the health care sector of the Nigerian economy. Moreover, the study will offer the needed information for the ministry of health, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, national centre for Disease control (NCDC), case management and information control team of National Monkey pox virus Emergency Operation Centres  (NEEOC) and to the government to act upon.

Additionally, this study will form the basis for further academic research work for other researchers in the related topic of study and will also add to the existing stock of awareness in the area of study.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The outbreak of Monkey pox virus virus disease is new to Nigerian community and there is limited literature evaluating and assessing its information from the different health providers in the country. The literature review carried out for this project is based on secondary data from unpublished literature, published journals and reports mostly by foreigner, therefore, any error observed in the primary data may have affected the reliability of the work.

The study was conducted at Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH). The study population comprised of Senior medical students  on placement at NDUTH.

1.7 LIMITATIONS OF STUDY

This research project was limited by certain factors such as time, finances, uncooperative attitude of some of the respondents etc. These constituted limitations in this study as some of the respondents did not return their questionnaire. The researcher only made do with responses of the respondents whose questionnaire were correctly completed and returned

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Awareness: State of level of consciousness or having awareness of something.

Virus: A submicroscopic infections organism, now understood to be non-cellular structure consisting of a core of DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein coat it requires a living cell to replicate and often causes disease in the host.

Monkey pox virus Virus Disease (MPV): Monkey pox virus  is a disease that infects mammal, including humans caused by the Monkey pox virus virus with symptoms like fever, sore threat, muscle pains, headaches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea followed along with decreased functioning of the liver and kidney and internal and external bleeding typically starting two days to three weeks after contracting.

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