Monkeypox Emergence Post-COVID: Insight into Egyptian Older Adult’s Awareness, Concern, and Mental Health

Abstract

<b>Aim:</b> To identify Egyptian older adults' awareness, concerns, and mental health about the monkeypox outbreak. <b>Background:</b> In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, monkeypox disease is receiving more attention. The monkeypox virus outbreak has posed a global concern, especially to older adults with comorbidities. Natural disasters, and endemic affect older persons' mental health. <b>Design:</b> A cross-sectional descriptive design was followed. <b>Methods:</b> 254 older adults were recruited from three outpatient clinics using consecutive sampling using four tools. <b>Results:</b> 74.0% of older study participants were unaware of monkeypox. Gender, level of education, residence, worry about contracting monkeypox infection, and mental distress are predictors of awareness about monkeypox (<i>p</i> < .001). Worry of contracting monkeypox infection was common among female participants (<i>p</i> = .038), highly educated (<i>p</i> = .001), who had a low level of awareness and high level of mental distress (<i>p</i> = .001 for both). <b>Conclusion:</b> Awareness of monkeypox was associated with worry and mental distress. Gerontological nurses have a vital role in contacting older adults and providing care and education that decreases worry and preserves minds and feelings, improving their quality of life. Establishing a national strategic planning and crisis prevention framework to alleviate psychological distress and prevent mental health issues from deteriorating in this group is crucial.