Did mpox knowledge, attitudes and beliefs affect intended behaviour in the general population and men who are gay, bisexual and who have sex with men? An online cross-sectional survey in the UK

Abstract

ObjectivesTo investigate rates of mpox beliefs, knowledge and intended behaviours in the general population and in gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), and factors associated with intended behaviours. To test the impact of motivational messages (vs a factual control) on intended behaviours.DesignCross-sectional online survey including a nested randomised controlled trial.SettingData collected from 5 September 2022 to 6 October 2022.ParticipantsParticipants were aged 18 years or over and lived in the UK (general population). In addition, GBMSM were male, and gay, bisexual or had sex with men. The general population sample was recruited through a market research company. GBMSM were recruited through a market research company, the dating app Grindr and targeted adverts on Meta (Facebook and Instagram).Main outcome measuresIntention to self-isolate, seek medical help, stop all sexual contact, share details of recent sexual contacts and accept vaccination.ResultsSociodemographic characteristics differed by sample. There was no effect of very brief motivational messaging on behavioural intentions. Respondents from Grindr and Meta were more likely to intend to seek help immediately, completely stop sexual behaviour and be vaccinated or intend to be vaccinated, but being less likely to intend to self-isolate (ps<0.001). In the general population sample, intending to carry out protective behaviours was generally associated with being female, older, having less financial hardship, greater worry, higher perceived risk to others and higher perceived susceptibility to and severity of mpox (ps<0.001). There were fewer associations with behaviours in the Grindr sample, possibly due to reduced power.ConclusionsGBMSM were more likely to intend to enact protective behaviours, except for self-isolation. This may reflect targeted public health efforts and engagement with this group. Associations with socioeconomic factors suggest that providing financial support may encourage people to engage with protective behaviours.

Factors Related to Mpox-Vaccine Uptake among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Taiwan: Roles of Information Sources and Emotional Problems

“…Further study is needed to examine them. The present study had similar findings, such as the associations between perceived susceptibility to and severity of mpox and the intention to vaccinate against mpox, compared to previous studies in the general population [ 19 , 20 ]. However, the present study found that older MSM were more likely to receive an mpox vaccination, and the result was contrary to that of two previous studies, indicating the difference in the factors related to the intention to vaccinate against mpox between the general and MSM populations [ 17 , 18 ].…”

“…Several studies have examined the factors related to the intention to vaccinate against mpox. Studies in the general population have revealed that sociodemographic characteristics (such as male sex, younger age, nonheterosexual orientation, higher education level, and urban residence); cognitive appraisal (such as higher perceived susceptibility to and severity of mpox, increased knowledge of mpox, lower conspiracy beliefs about mpox, greater emotional fear of mpox, and higher perceived potential of the occurrence of a pandemic); confidence in vaccination; and collective responsibility are significantly associated with a higher intention to vaccinate against mpox [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Studies involving MSM have revealed that those ones who are gay, spend more time with other gay or bisexual men, have good knowledge of mpox, have higher perceived susceptibility to mpox, have no steady relationship, and have low constraints on vaccine access are more likely to receive mpox vaccination [ 11 , 22 , 23 ].…”

Behavioral intentions of self‐isolation and informing close contacts after developing mpox‐related symptoms among young men who have sex with men in China

“…For the behavioral intention of self-isolation, the multivariable logistic The study illustrated that most participants intended to isolate themselves and inform close contacts after developing mpox-related symptoms. The self-isolation intention prevalence was higher than a previous UK study, 16 which reported 78.5% of gay and bisexual MSM (mean age: 47.1 years) would probably or definitely self-isolate if they had mpox. Age could be a reason for the difference, as younger MSM may perceive higher mpox infection risk due to sexual activeness 27 and have a better understanding of the importance of both measures to halt transmission, which strengthens their intention to adopt preventive measures.…”

“…intention to inform close contacts, consistent with a UK study linking knowledge of mpox-related symptoms and transmission to the intention to self-isolate. 16 Previous research, following the Knowledge-Attitude-Practice model, indicates that optimal health knowledge contributes to health promotion and disease prevention. 36 However, the mean knowledge score in our sample was only 5.7 (range: 0−10), emphasizing the need for more intensive and tailored health education campaigns among YMSM.…”

“…14 Several studies were conducted in the United Kingdom to investigate the acceptability of protective behaviors, including self-isolation, in public mpox response. [15][16][17] In China, the national guideline for mpox prevention and control stated that confirmed mpox cases with mild symptoms can be self-isolated at home. 9 Few studies had examined the behaviors or intentions of self-isolation and informing close contacts after developing mpox-related symptoms among the most affected population in countries being exposed to the risk of mpox outbreak, such as China.…”