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Abstract Background As of September 2023, more than 1,000 cases of monkeypox (mpox) have been reported in China. Based on the available evidence, men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk for mpox infection. This study aimed to analyses the self-reported infection status, knowledge, attitude and influencing factors of monkeypox among MSM in Jiaxing City, China. Methods A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in September 2023 to gather data on participants’ socio-demographic profiles, mpox-related knowledge, sexual behavior characteristics, and other potentially related information to mpox knowledge. Multivariate regression modeling was employed to analyze the factors influencing the level of mpox-related knowledge. Results A total of 562 MSM were recruited; 4.3% self-reported being HIV-positive, 83.3% of respondents had heard of mpox, and 2.3% of them reported having suspected symptoms. 89.7% of respondents were willing to be vaccinated against mpox, but only 24.8% had a high level of knowledge about mpox. The main factors influencing knowledge of mpox were education level, household registration, homosexual anal intercourse in the past 6 months, and taking the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Conclusions Knowledge of mpox among MSM living in the Jiaxing area needs to be enhanced, but willingness to get vaccinated is high. Educational level, household location, sexual behavior and PrEP use have important effects on knowledge of mpox. Individuals exhibiting symptoms indicative of suspected mpox had a diminutive consultation frequency, and it is imperative to augment screening efforts for mpox symptoms within specific demographic groups to prevent the underreporting of mpox cases.

Background: As of September 2023, more than 1,000 cases of monkeypox (mpox) have been reported in China. Based on the available evidence, men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk for mpox infection. This study aimed to analyses the self-reported infection status, knowledge, attitude and influencing factors of monkeypox among MSM in Jiaxing City, China. Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in September 2023 to gather data on participants' socio-demographic profiles, mpox-related knowledge, sexual behavior characteristics, and other potentially related information to mpox knowledge. Multivariate regression modeling was employed to analyze the factors influencing the level of mpox-related knowledge. Results: A total of 562 MSM were recruited; 4.3% self-reported being HIV-positive, 83.3% of respondents had heard of mpox, and 2.3% of them reported having suspected symptoms. 89.7% of respondents were willing to be vaccinated against mpox, but only 24.8% had a high level of knowledge about mpox. The main factors influencing knowledge of mpox were education level, household registration, homosexual anal intercourse in the past 6 months, and taking the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Conclusions: Knowledge of mpox among MSM living in the Jiaxing area needs to be enhanced, but willingness to get vaccinated is high. Educational level, household location, sexual behavior and PrEP use have important effects on knowledge of mpox. Individuals exhibiting symptoms indicative of suspected mpox had a diminutive consultation frequency, and it is imperative to augment screening efforts for mpox symptoms within specific demographic groups to prevent the underreporting of mpox cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Re-emerging human mpox (previously known as monkeypox) is spreading around the world. According to existing studies, the current mpox pandemic mainly affects men who have sex with men (MSM), including male sex workers (MSW). Our study aimed to assess mpox knowledge and attitude towards mpox vaccination among MSW in China. Methods: A web-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted in August 2022. We collected participants' socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge with 15 knowledge items related to mpox. Modified Bloom's cut-off points of 80% (total score > 12) was used to indicate good knowledge. Multivariable regression analysis was used to assess factors of mpox knowledge and attitude towards mpox vaccination. Results: A total of 154 MSW were recruited (age: median = 22, interquartile range, IQR = 12). Of the 154 MSW, 49.4% had good knowledge of mpox, and 63.0% were willing to be vaccinated against mpox. We found that good knowledge was associated with being single [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.46, 95% confident interval (CI) (1.22–4.87)], being unemployed [5.01, 1.21–20.70] and willingness to be vaccinated [2.51, 1.14–5.54]. Willingness to get vaccinated was related to age [1.06, 1.00–1.12], chronic diseases history [8.53, 1.01–71.68], and agreement with "priority for high-risk groups if mpox vaccine is in short supply" [2.57, 1.01–6.54]. Conclusions: We found that MSW had suboptimal mpox knowledge and a high willingness to be vaccinated against mpox. MSW who are single and willing to be vaccinated may have good knowledge of mpox. These findings underscore the necessity of providing health education on mpox among MSW. When the mpox vaccine is in short supply, priority should be given to high-risk groups, such as MSW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Re-emerging human mpox (previously known as monkeypox) is spreading around the world. According to existing studies, the current mpox pandemic mainly affects men who have sex with men (MSM), including male sex workers (MSW). Our study aimed to assess mpox knowledge and attitude towards mpox vaccination among MSW in China. Methods: A web-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted in August 2022. We collected participants’ socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge with 15 knowledge items related to mpox. Modified Bloom’s cut-off points of 80% (total score > 12) was used to indicate good knowledge. Multivariable regression analysis was used to assess factors of mpox knowledge and attitude towards mpox vaccination. Results: A total of 154 MSW were recruited (age: median = 22, interquartile range, IQR = 12). Of the 154 MSW, 49.4% had good knowledge of mpox, and 63.0% were willing to be vaccinated against mpox. We found that good knowledge was associated with being single [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.46, 95% confident interval (CI) (1.22–4.87)], being unemployed [5.01, 1.21–20.70] and willingness to be vaccinated [2.51, 1.14–5.54]. Willingness to get vaccinated was related to age [1.06, 1.00–1.12], chronic diseases history [8.53, 1.01–71.68], and agreement with “priority for high-risk groups if mpox vaccine is in short supply” [2.57, 1.01–6.54]. Conclusions: We found that MSW had suboptimal mpox knowledge and a high willingness to be vaccinated against mpox. MSW who are single and willing to be vaccinated may have good knowledge of mpox. These findings underscore the necessity of providing health education on mpox among MSW. When the mpox vaccine is in short supply, priority should be given to high-risk groups, such as MSW.