Mpox knowledge, vaccination and intention to reduce sexual risk practices among men who have sex with men and transgender people in response to the 2022 mpox outbreak: a cross-sectional study in Victoria, Australia

Chow, EPF; Samra, RS; Bradshaw, CS; Chen, MY; Williamson, DA; Towns, JM; Maddaford, K; Mercury, F; Fairley, CK

Author(s): Chow, EPF; Samra, RS; Bradshaw, CS; Chen, MY; Williamson, DA; Towns, JM; Maddaford, K; Mercury, F; Fairley, CK;
Details: Publication Year 2023-07-10,Volume 20,Issue #5,Page 390-402
Journal Title: Sexual Health
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The first mpox case was reported in May 2022 in Australia. Most cases have been diagnosed in men who have sex with men (MSM). This study aimed to examine community understanding of mpox, attitudes towards vaccination, and potential changes in sexual practices surrounding the mpox outbreak among MSM and transgender people in Victoria, Australia. METHODS: Participants were recruited from sexual health clinics and communities in Victoria, Australia, in August-October 2022. Participants were asked about their understanding and knowledge of mpox, vaccination uptake and intentions to change sexual practices. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was performed to examine the factors associated with mpox vaccine uptake. RESULTS: Most participants (97.8%, 525/537) had heard about mpox and 10.5% (55/525) knew someone who had had mpox. Of the 12 mpox knowledge questions, the median score of correct answers was 10 (IQR=8-11) out of a maximum of 12. More than a third (36.6%, 191/522) had been vaccinated against mpox. MSM who had a good knowledge of mpox had the highest odds of receiving mpox vaccine compared with those who had poor knowledge (aOR=4.05; 95% CI: 1.54-10.61). To prevent mpox, half reported they would reduce having sex with casual partners, stop having chemsex (used drugs for the purpose of sex), stop attending sex-on-premises-venues, and stop having group sex. A quarter reported they would increase condom use for anal sex. CONCLUSIONS: One-third of high-risk participants and a substantial proportion of participants intended to reduce or stop certain practices, which may explain the large reduction in mpox cases.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Research Division(s): Infectious Diseases And Immune Defence
PubMed ID: 37423606
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.1071/SH23075
Open Access at Publisher's Site: https://doi.org/0.1071/SH23075
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.

Creation Date: 2023-08-04 12:44:17

Last Modified: 2023-12-13 10:19:52