Risk perception and factors associated with the acceptance of smallpox vaccine against monkeypox among healthcare and healthcare support workers in Northeastern Nigeria.

Introduction: monkeypox, an emerging viral zoonosis, has been declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organization. The smallpox vaccine is effective for prevention against monkeypox, but the perception and acceptability of this vaccine among healthcare workers in Northeastern Nigeria remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate risk perception and factors associated with smallpox vaccine acceptance among healthcare workers in Northeastern Nigeria. Methods: an online self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the risk perception and factors associated with smallpox vaccine acceptance among 316 healthcare and support workers in Northeastern Nigeria in a cross-sectional study. The convenience sampling method was used to recruit study participants. The researchers' phone contacts, social media groups, and followers were invited to participate in the study. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Chi-square analysis determines the difference in vaccine acceptance among the dependent variables. Binary regression was employed to evaluate the relationship between the dependent variables and fixed factors. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: most participants (43.0%) strongly agreed that monkeypox is highly harmful, while only 9.8% believed it was less harmful than smallpox. Notably, 51% did not consider monkeypox a biological weapon aimed at reducing Africa's population; however, 32% still held this belief. There was a significant correlation (p < 0.05) between risk perception and willingness to receive the smallpox vaccine for monkeypox, although occupational risk perception did not significantly influence vaccination willingness (p > 0.05). vaccine safety, marital status, and professions were associated with the acceptance of the smallpox vaccine. Conclusion: the healthcare workers surveyed generally felt at low risk for monkeypox yet exhibited a high willingness to accept the smallpox vaccine. Factors such as profession and perceived safety of the smallpox vaccine were linked to vaccine acceptance. Providing healthcare workers with training on vaccine safety, efficacy, and building trust regarding vaccine development is recommended.