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Public understanding and awareness of and response to monkeypox virus outbreak: A cross‐sectional survey of the most affected communities in the United Kingdom during the 2022 public health emergency.
- Source :
- HIV Medicine; May2023, Vol. 24 Issue 5, p544-557, 14p
- Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Objectives: Our objective was to examine the public response to public health and media messaging during the human monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreak in the UK, focusing on at‐risk communities. Methods: A co‐produced, cross‐sectional survey was administered in June and July 2022 using community social media channels and the Grindr dating app. Basic descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and odds ratio p values are presented. Results: Of 1932 survey respondents, 1750 identified as men, 88 as women, and 64 as gender non‐conforming. Sexual identity was described as gay/lesbian/queer (80%), bisexual (12%), heterosexual (4%), and pansexual (2%); 39% were aged <40 years; 71% self‐identified as White, 3% as Black, 8% as Asian, 2%as LatinX, and 11% as 'Mixed or Other' heritage groups. In total, 85% were employed and 79% had completed higher education. A total of 7% of respondents identified themselves as living with HIV. Overall, 34% reported limited understanding of public health information, 52% considered themselves at risk, 61% agreed that people with MPXV should isolate for 21 days, 49% reported they would first attend a sexual health clinic if symptomatic, 86% reported they would accept a vaccine, and 59% believed that MPXV originated from animals. The most trusted sources of information were healthcare professionals (37%), official health agencies (29%), and mainstream media (12%). Conclusions: Vaccine acceptability was very high, yet the understanding and acceptance of public health information varied. Social determinants of health inequalities already shaping the UK landscape risk were compounded in this new emergency. Engagement with structurally disadvantaged members of affected communities and better dissemination of public health messaging by trusted healthcare professionals are essential for the public health response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- HIV-positive persons
VACCINATION
CROSS-sectional method
SOCIAL media
MOBILE apps
BLACK people
HISPANIC Americans
ATTITUDE (Psychology)
MONKEYPOX
COMMUNITIES
PUBLIC health
GENDER-nonconforming people
MEDICAL emergencies
HEALTH literacy
EPIDEMICS
DESCRIPTIVE statistics
SEXUAL orientation identity
LGBTQ+ people
EMPLOYMENT
RESEARCH funding
LOGISTIC regression analysis
ODDS ratio
WHITE people
PUBLIC opinion
EDUCATIONAL attainment
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14642662
- Volume :
- 24
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- HIV Medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 163704557
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/hiv.13430