Mpox knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and intended behaviour in the general population and men who are gay, bisexual, and who have sex with men

Abstract

Objectives: To 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. Design: Cross-sectional online survey including a nested randomised controlled trial. Setting: Data collected 5 September to 6 October 2022. Participants: Participants were aged 18 years and 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 measures: Intention to self-isolate, seek medical help, stop all sexual contact, share details of recent sexual contacts, and accept vaccination. Results: Socio-demographic 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. Conclusions: GBMSM 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 socio-economic factors suggests that providing financial support may encourage people to engage with protective behaviours.

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

“…The study observed a significant positive association between mpox knowledge and the intention to self‐isolate as well as the 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 .…”

“…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 34 .…”

“…In addition, some public health government agencies, such as the UK Health Security Agency, also recommend people stay at home after being diagnosed with mpox infection to control the spread 14 . Several studies were conducted in the United Kingdom to investigate the acceptability of protective behaviors, including self‐isolation, in public mpox response 15–17 . 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 .…”

Overview of reemerging mpox infection with a focus on neurological manifestations

“…23 However, since the spring of 2022, mpox has garnered global attention, initiating an international outbreak impacting over 40,000 people in more than 80 countries. 24 The emergence of viral infections through the exotic pet trade is an unexpected threat, notably demonstrated in the 2003 human mpox outbreak in the United States, emphasising the risk posed by strange imported animals introducing new pathogens. 25 The zoonotic mpox virus, which causes a rare viral infection, bears resemblance to smallpox but typically presents with milder symptoms and a lower mortality rate.…”

“…It is marked by intermittent outbreaks and occasional small exported outbreaks in Western countries, including the US in 2003, the UK in 2018, and Israel in 2018 23 . However, since the spring of 2022, mpox has garnered global attention, initiating an international outbreak impacting over 40,000 people in more than 80 countries 24 …”