Social media users’ awareness, knowledge, attitude and practice on monkeypox in South East, Nigeria

Abstract

The rise of monkeypox has become a global issue and the social media have continued to serve as a veritable platform for the dissemination of information on monkeypox. Despite this, public awareness on the disease seems to be low. To this end, this study sought to find out how social media has been used to create awareness about monkeypox and how it has influenced the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of social media users in Southeast, Nigeria. This study adopted the health belief model. Using the Cochran formula, a sample size of 380 was derived from the estimated population of 6,580, 000 social media users. The multi-stage sampling procedure was used in the selection of respondents. The findings of this study disclosed that social media users in Southeast, Nigeria are highly aware of monkeypox viral infection alongside the awareness campaign on social media. Whatsapp among other social media platform emerged as the major source of information on monkeypox closely followed by Facebook. The respondents thus showed a wide knowledge and positive attitude toward monkeypox however their practice towards its detection, prevention and treatment was relatively low. The researchers thus recommended that health agencies should use all social media platforms to create awareness of monkeypox and other health related matters. Social media users should endeavour to go for monkeypox screening test even when they do not feel sick.