Changes in Sexual Behaviors Due to Mpox: a Cross-Sectional Study of Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals in Illinois

Phillips, Gregory; Curtis, Michael G.; Felt, Dylan; Davoudpour, Shahin; Rodriguez-Ortiz, Anthony E.; Cortez, Alfred; French, Audrey L.; Hosek, Sybil G.; Serrano, Pedro A.

doi:10.1007/s11121-023-01604-3

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 17 publications

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“…Through a convenience sample from the American Men’s Internet Survey, Delaney and colleagues (2022) reported roughly 48% of GBSMM reducing their number of sexual partners, 50% reducing one-time sexual encounters, and 50% reducing meeting partners on dating apps or sex venues since learning about the mpox outbreak [ 9 ]. These findings coincide with epidemiological trends of mpox where cases declined, emphasizing the importance of mpox messaging for communities to engage in public health preventative behaviors [ 10 ]. The dissemination of rapid mpox messaging may be partially responsible for the decrease in mpox cases, but consequentially resulted in anti-LGBTQ + discourse apparent through mainstream social media and news channels [ 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 70%

“It’s another gay disease”: an intersectional qualitative approach contextualizing the lived experiences of young gay, bisexual, and other sexual minoritized men in the United States during the mpox outbreak

Takenaka,

Kirklewski,

Griffith

et al. 2024

BMC Public Health

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Background The U.S. mpox outbreak in 2022 introduced new and exacerbated existing challenges that disproportionately stigmatize gay, bisexual, and other sexual minoritized men (GBSMM). This study contextualizes the perceptions, susceptibility, and lived experiences of the mpox outbreak among GBSMM in the U.S. using an intersectional framework. Methods Between September 2022 to February 2023, we conducted 33 semi-structured qualitative interviews with purposively sampled GBSMM in the Northeast and the South region of the United States on various aspects related to their experience during the mpox outbreak. Results We identified four themes: (1) understanding and conceptualizations of mpox, (2) mpox vaccine availability and accessibility, (3) mpox vaccine hesitancy and mistrust, and (4) call to action and recommendations. GBSMM collectively discussed the elevated mpox stigmatization and homophobic discourse from mainstream social media and news outlets. GBSMM also discussed the lack of availability of mpox vaccines, unclear procedures to receive the vaccine, and continued mistrust in government, non-government, and other institutions of health that were complicit in anti-LGBTQ + narratives related to mpox. However, they expressed that these challenges may be addressed through more LGTBQ + representation and leveraging ways to empower these communities. Conclusion GBSMM have mpox experiences that are distinct and multifaceted. Effectively addressing mpox and mitigating public health emergencies for GBSMM requires prioritizing destigmatizing communication channels and vaccine distribution strategies by centering their stories and lived experiences to advance health equity.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 70%