COVID-19 salgını sonrası mpox (maymun çiçeği) salgını tehdidi: Sağlık çalışanları yeni psikolojik savaşlara hazır mı?

Abstract

Aims: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the psychological status of healthcare professionals regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, and to examine their perspectives and knowledge levels regarding the mpox epidemic. Methods: Having a cross-sectional design, the present study was carried out by using questions addressing sociodemographic characteristics of healthcare professionals, their experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic, and their knowledge and anxiety levels regarding mpox. Results: 202 healthcare professionals were involved in the present study. Of the participants, 55% were female and the mean age was 35.0±7.7 years. The majority (63.4%) of the participants were midwives/nurses/medical assistants. Of the participants, 68.8% were infected by COVID-19 during the pandemic. Considering the questions addressing their level of knowledge about mpox, 44.1% of participants stated that they had never heard of this disease before. Participants were found to have mainly moderate levels of depression and anxiety and low level of stress, whereas the ratios of very severe depression and anxiety were 5.0% and 7.4%, respectively. Conclusion: It was determined that almost half of the participants had no full knowledge of the disease before the increase in mpox cases. It was found that the participants varying levels of depression, anxiety, and stress about a new pandemic. We think that it is important to provide healthcare professionals with psychosocial support, make effort in order to determine and eliminate the sources of psychological negativities.