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International Journal of Behavioral Medicine

17-01-2024 | Mpox | Brief Report

Brief Report: Determinants of Potential Sexual Activity Reduction in the Face of the Mpox Epidemic

Authors: Haoyi Wang, Kennedy J. I. d’Abreu de Paulo, Thomas Gültzow, Hanne M. L. Zimmermann, Kai. J. Jonas

Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine

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Abstract

Background

The current mpox epidemic is most prevalent among men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM). Vaccination programs are being rolled-out to curb the epidemic. Behavioural measures have been called for as well, for example, by the WHO and national public health authorities to reduce the number of sexual partners and sexual activity. We investigated intentions and determinants among Dutch MSM to follow such behavioural measures.

Methods

Early in July 2022, in the context of a dynamic ongoing epidemic, 394 MSM answered an online questionnaire investigating concepts such as perceived mpox risk, vaccination and behavioural change intentions and collecting socio-demographic and sexual behaviour information.

Results

The overall intentions to reduce number of partners and sexual activity were high, but only a minority had developed definite intentions. Determinant analysis revealed that dating/open relationship status was a positive predictor; vaccination intentions did not predict sexual behaviour change; those not on PrEP were more likely to change their sexual behaviour. Mpox infection concern was the main predictor for behaviour change intentions.

Conclusions

Our results show that behavioural measures to avoid an mpox infection are present in majority of participants in our survey, but high intentions are held by a minority. Taking the historic complexity of behavioural change pleas among MSM into account sensitive, additional public health measures are necessary to reach and to inform MSM about potential benefits of sexual behaviour change.
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Metadata
Title
Brief Report: Determinants of Potential Sexual Activity Reduction in the Face of the Mpox Epidemic
Authors
Haoyi Wang
Kennedy J. I. d’Abreu de Paulo
Thomas Gültzow
Hanne M. L. Zimmermann
Kai. J. Jonas
Publication date
17-01-2024
Publisher
Springer US
Keywords
Mpox
Mpox
Published in
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
Print ISSN: 1070-5503
Electronic ISSN: 1532-7558
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-023-10252-4