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

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.

Automated summary

This study investigated community understanding of mpox, attitudes towards vaccination, and potential changes in sexual practices during the mpox outbreak. The results showed that most participants were aware of mpox and had been vaccinated, and a significant proportion reported intentions to reduce or stop certain sexual practices, which may explain the decrease in mpox cases.