Summary of the main findings of the reviewed studies on the mental health status of patients with MPX
| Author & years | Reference number | Country name | Title | Type of study | Major findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmed et al., 2022 | 13 | Iraq | Timely mental health care for the 2022 novel monkeypox outbreak is urgently needed | Opinion | Factors such as social media, quarantine, guilt, fear, stigma, blame, boredom, loneliness, symptoms, healthcare providers, side effects, and anger contribute to mental health problems in monkeypox patients. |
| Badenoch et al., 2022 | 11 | UK | Neurological and psychiatric presentations associated with human monkeypox virus infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis | Systematic review and meta-analysis | Preliminary evidence suggests severe neurological complications and nonspecific neurological features in MPX, but less about psychiatric presentations or sequelae. Surveillance and longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate potential causality and explain prevalence heterogeneity. |
| Ahmed et al., 2022 | 14 | Iraq | Study of knowledge, attitude and anxiety in Kurdistan-region of Iraqi population during the monkeypox outbreak in 2022 | Cross sectional survey | Significant differences in anxiety scores towards MPX were observed among respondents based on gender, marital status, religion, education level, and residence, emphasizing the need for public awareness and emotional wellbeing management. |
| Ogoina et al., 2022 | 3 | Nigeria | A case of suicide during the 2017 monkeypox outbreak in Nigeria | A case report | A 34-year-old Nigerian businessman was admitted to a tertiary hospital with fever, headache, malaise, and vesiculopustular rashes, without systemic symptoms or prior history of mental illness, deviant behavior, or substance abuse. |
| Rogers et al., 2021 | 7 | UK | Suicide, self-harm and thoughts of suicide or self-harm in infectious disease epidemics: a systematic review and meta-analysis | Systematic review and meta-analysis | A systematic review and meta-analysis of 1354 studies found that 8.0% of participants experienced thoughts of suicide or self-harm during infectious disease epidemics, including Spanish flu, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), human monkeypox, Ebola, and COVID-19. |
| Zortea et al., 2021 | 8 | UK | The impact of infectious diseaserelated public health emergencies on suicide, suicidal behavior, and suicidal thoughts | Systematic review | The study found increased suicide rates among older adults during and after the SARS/Ebola epidemic, possibly due to social disconnectedness, fear of virus infection, and burdening others. |
| Ahmed et al., 2022 | 52 | Iraq | The impact of monkeypox outbreak on mental health and counteracting strategies: a call to action | Commentary | The MPX outbreak has led to a shortage of mental health specialists, counselors, and rehabilitation institutions, necessitating community conversations to support public health efforts. |
| Sah et al., 2022 | 28 | US | Monkeypox reported in India–South East Asia region: health and economic challenges | Commentary | Since July 2022, four cases have been reported in India, indicating a significant compromise in the mental health of the population due to the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| Tiecco et al., 2022 | 17 | Italy | Monkeypox, a literature review: what is new and where does this concerning virus come from? | Systematic review | The WHO has emphasized the need for more comprehensive understanding of the psychological impact of MPX, particularly in relation to mental health issues and suicide. |
| Mungmunpuntipantip et al., 2022 | 15 | India | Anxiety, depression and monkeypox | Editorial | Monkeypox’s impact on clinical psychiatry is underresearched, with over 25% of hospitalized patients experiencing anxiety or depression, requiring counseling. |
| Lee and Morling 2022 | 19 | UK | The global monkeypox outbreak: germ panic, stigma and emerging challenges | Editorial | Germ panic poses a public health issue due to its potential stigmatization of the condition, as affected individuals may be perceived as unclean vectors of disease. |
| Al-Tammemi et al., 2022 | 26 | Jordan | The outbreak of Ebola virus disease in 2022: a spotlight on a re-emerging global health menace | Review Article | The COVID-19 pandemic and human monkeypox outbreaks pose significant global health and mental health risks, necessitating increased authorities’ multi-faceted response, including strict contact tracing and border control, to prevent future EVD crises. |
| Caycho‑Rodríguez et al., 2022 | 30 | Peru | The Monkeypox Fear Scale: development and initial validation in a Peruvian sample | Quantative | The Monkeypox fear scale in Peru has sufficient psychometric evidence to evaluate fear, potentially guiding future research on its mental health implications. |
| Ennab et al., 2023 | 22 | United Arab Emirates | The psychological aftermath of an emerging infection affecting pregnant women: is monkeypox to blame? | Letter to editot | The monkeypox outbreak highlights the need to prioritize pregnant women’s mental health, involving public health entities early on. The link between deteriorating mental health and pregnancy complications is crucial, presenting an opportunity for a systematic approach. |
| Favre et al., 2022 | 23 | Switzerland | Mental health in pregnant individuals during the COVID‑19 pandemic based on a Swiss online survey | Swiss online survey | Pregnant women face high risk of mental health impairment during the pandemic, requiring better informed care from healthcare professionals, especially foreign nationals, regardless of socioeconomic status. |
| Hirani et al., 2022 | 18 | USA | Monkeypox outbreak in the age of COVID-19: a new global health emergency | Letter to editor | The pandemic exacerbated burnout, mental health issues, and suicide rates among physicians, highlighting the potential impact of their own health on patient care. |
| Lee and Wu 2022 | 50 | Taiwan | Management of emerging health conditions to improve resilience and mental health | Editorial | Scholars interested in psychology, public health, and disease alleviation are invited to submit manuscripts for the Special Issue “Management in Different Health Conditions.” |
| Mukherjee et al., 2022 | 27 | India | The pathophysiological and immunological background of the monkeypox virus infection: an update | Review | MPXVs are spreading globally, with cases in Kerala linked to past international travel and potential cases. |
| Shukla et al., 2023 | 29 | India | Discrimination, and psychological distress among the LGBTQ community in times of monkeypox outbreak— a wake-up call | Letter to editor | In developing countries like India, the LGBTQ community faces high stigma, discrimination, mental health treatment gaps, and poor health literacy, highlighting the need for urgent action. |
| Sah et al., 2022 | 37 | USA | Major sporting events amid monkeypox and COVID-19 outbreaks: considering the impact upon the traveller | Correspondence | Travel stress can negatively impact health, potentially worsening chronic ailments. The FIFA World Cup in Qatar, attracting 1.5 million visitors, is expected to be a significant sporting event. |
| Li et al., 2023 | 25 | China | Monkeypox awareness and low vaccination hesitancy among men who have sex with men in China | Cross-sectional survey | China’s men who have sex with men showed minimal resistance to monkeypox vaccination, attributed to factors like accessibility, price, and safety. Encouraging education about vaccination benefits could support future initiatives. |
| Kumar et al., 2023 | 32 | India | As the world struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic, another emergency threat arrives on the horizon, the monkeypox: a systematic review | Systematic review | Sexual activity accounts for 55% of transmissions, causing common symptoms like rashes, fever, and fatigue. The USA has the highest mortality rate of 8.65%, with the highest number of young people dying from HIV or sexually transmitted diseases. |
| Chen et al., 2023 | 24 | China | Knowledge of human Mpox (Monkeypox) and attitude towards Mpox vaccination among male sex workers in China: a cross-sectional study | A Cross-Sectional Study | Male sex workers (MSW) have poor understanding of Mpox and high readiness for vaccination, highlighting the need for Mpox health education. High-risk populations, such as MSW, should be prioritized when vaccine availability is limited. Risks include aggression, drug use, mental health issues, and sexually transmitted infections. |
| Farooq et al., 2023 | 16 | Pakistan | Neurological complications in Monkeypox: a challenge that demands attention | Short report | The WHO warns of unusual consequences of bronchopneumonia, sepsis, and corneal infections, including vision loss, and suggests monitoring existing outbreaks for symptoms like anxiety and depression in MPX patients. |
| Islam et al., 2023 | 20 | Bangladesh | The spreading of monkeypox in nonendemic countries has created panic across the world: could it be another threat? | Letter to editor | Monkeypox infection is not severe, but stigmatization may reduce epidemic reactions. Public education, preventative measures, case identification, isolation, contact tracing, and appropriate treatment are recommended. |