Research Article | 23 Nov 2025

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward monkeypox among university students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan: A cross-sectional study from Gomal University

Saifur Rehman1 ORCID, Shakeeb Ullah1 ORCID, Mustofa Helmi Effendi2 ORCID, Muhammad Kamal Shah3 ORCID, Danial Aziz4 ORCID, Budiastuti Budiastuti5 ORCID, Sana Ullah3 ORCID, Anila Khan6 ORCID, Muhammad Inam Ullah Malik1 ORCID, Wasiq Ur Rehman3 ORCID, and Muhammad Irfan Anwar3 ORCIDShow more

1. Department of Pathobiology , Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan.

2. Division of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia.

3. Department of Pathobiology , Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan , Pakistan.

4. Department of Pediatrics, Children Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.

5. Study Program of Pharmacy Science, Faculty of Health Science, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia.

6. Department of Biological Sciences, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan.

Corresponding author: Mustofa Helmi Effendi (mhelmieffendi@gmail.com)

Received: 2025-06-25, Accepted: 2025-09-16, Published: 2025-11-23

VETERINARY WORLD | pg no. 271-284 | Vol. 11, Issue 2 | DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2025.271-284
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Abstract

          
Background and Aim: The re-emergence of monkeypox (mpox) as a global public health concern necessitates assessing awareness and preparedness, particularly among educated youth who can act as health knowledge multipliers. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding mpox among undergraduate and postgraduate students at Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2024 to March 2025 among 443 university students selected through a simple random sampling method. A structured, prevalidated questionnaire was used to assess knowledge (18 items), attitudes (8 items), and practices (10 items). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests to identify associations between demographic factors and KAP domains, with a significance level set at p < 0.05.
Results: Most participaints were male (75.2%) and from urban areas (58.0%). Overall, 94.6% recognized mpox as a viral disease, while 77.7% identified it as a zoonotic disease. However, misconceptions persisted; only 55.8% acknowledged airborne transmission and 47.2% recognized possible reverse zoonosis. Concern about contracting mpox was expressed by 53.3% of students, and 61.6% were willing to receive vaccination. Knowledge levels were significantly associated with academic year (p = 0.003) and major (p = 0.010), with medical students demonstrating better knowledge (55.0%) compared to their non-medical peers (25.4%). Gender significantly influenced attitudes (p < 0.001) and practices (p = 0.025), with females showing lower positive attitudes and practice scores. Common preventive behaviors included handwashing (93.9%) and seeking medical attention (84.9%), while only 34.1% were vaccinated.
Conclusion: Although awareness about mpox was high among Gomal University students, notable gaps existed regarding the transmission and prevention of the disease. Gender, academic discipline, and study year had a significant influence on knowledge and attitudes. Integrating zoonotic disease education into university curricula, campus health promotion, and social media-based awareness programs could strengthen students’ preventive practices and outbreak preparedness.

         
Keywords: knowledge, attitudes, and practices, monkeypox, Pakistan, public health, university students, vaccination, zoonosis.