Enhancing Healthcare Workers’ Preparedness for Mpox Through Structured Online Training: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Saudi Arabia

Background Emerging infectious diseases such as Mpox require prompt recognition and response by healthcare workers (HCWs). This study evaluated the effectiveness of a structured online training session on HCWs’ knowledge and attitudes toward Mpox. Methods A quasi-experimental pre-post study was conducted among HCWs in a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A validated 25-item questionnaire consisting of 18 knowledge items and 7 attitude items was administered before and immediately after the training session. The 90-minute online session addressed Mpox epidemiology, transmission, clinical features, and infection control measures. Independent-samples statistical analyses were used to compare pre- and post-training scores. Results Of 1,500 invited HCWs, 732 completed the pre-test and 768 completed the post-test. Mean knowledge scores increased significantly from 12.4/25 to 19.2/25 (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.78), while attitude scores also improved markedly. Conclusion Structured online training significantly improved healthcare workers’ knowledge and attitudes toward Mpox, demonstrating the value of scalable educational interventions for outbreak preparedness. Integrating such evidence-based training into routine continuing medical education programs may strengthen early detection, reinforce infection prevention practices, and enhance health system readiness for emerging infectious diseases.