Perceptions and Intention to Get Vaccinated against Mpox among the LGBTIQ+ Community during the 2022 Outbreak: A Cross-Sectional Study in Peru

Abstract

Vaccination against mpox can control the outbreak by targeting high-risk groups such as the LGBTIQ+ community. The aim of the study was to evaluate the perceptions and intentions to get vaccinated against mpox among the LGBTIQ+ community in Peru. We conducted a cross-sectional study from 1 November 2022 to 17 January 2023 in Peru. We included individuals over 18 years old, belonging to the LGBTIQ+ community, and residing in the departments of Lima and Callao. To evaluate the factors associated with the intention to be vaccinated, we used Poisson regression with robust variance to create a multivariate model. The study comprised 373 individuals who self-identified as members of the LGBTIQ+ community. The participants had a mean age of 31 years (SD ± 9), with 85.0% males and 75.3% reporting to be homosexual men. The majority (88.5%) expressed their intention to receive the vaccine against mpox. Believing that the vaccine is safe was associated with a higher intention to be vaccinated (aPR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.50; p = 0.028). Our study population showed a high level of mpox vaccination intent. Educational campaigns reinforcing the concept of vaccine safety should be conducted to increase the intention and possibly the vaccination rate in the LGBTIQ+ community.

Sources of information on monkeypox virus infection. A systematic review with meta-analysis

“…The combined prevalence of information sources about the monkeypox virus on social networks reached 58% (95% CI 46-70%; 17227 participants; 21 studies; I 2 = 100%) (Figure S1) (19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(27)(28)(29)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41). On the other hand, access via the internet accounted for 61% (95% CI: 44-77%; 14002 participants; 5 studies; I 2 = 100%) (Figure S2) (26,28,30,31,33).…”

“…The combination of radio and television accounted for 45% (95% CI: 31-60%; 4207 participants; 7 studies; I 2 = 99%) (Figure S5) (21)(22)(23)29,34,36,37). In the case of newspapers, it accounted for 15% (95% CI: 05-27%; 2841 participants; 6 studies; I 2 = 99%) (Figure S6) (21,23,28,(39)(40)(41).…”

“…Friends and relatives accounted for 18% (95% CI 10-28%; 16551 participants; 18 studies; I 2 = 100%) (Figure S7) (19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)40,41). World Health Organization (WHO) websites accounted for 17% (95% CI 07-29%; 1656 participants; 3 studies; I 2 = 97%) (Figure S8) (28,31,39), whereas Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) websites contributed 10% (95% CI 03-21%; 2378 participants; 3 studies; I 2 = 98%) (Figure S9) (20,31,39).…”

The 2022 monkeypox outbreak 1 year on: The 5 Ws

“…Studies have indicated that even a single dose of these vaccines could provide protection in majority of the vaccinated individuals 101,103 . With targeted vaccination campaigns, majority of the individuals in the LGBTQ communities were willing to take the vaccine 104,105 . Some public health authorities also suggested ring vaccination; that is vaccinating close contacts of infected persons 106,107 .…”

“…101,103 With targeted vaccination campaigns, majority of the individuals in the LGBTQ communities were willing to take the vaccine. 104,105 Some public health authorities also suggested ring vaccination; that is vaccinating close contacts of infected persons. 106,107 Thus, targeted vaccination combined with changes in sociobehavioural practices by the highrisk groups were probably the major factors contributing to the decline in Mpox cases.…”