ArticleBMC public health2025
Mpox epidemiology, barriers to treatment and prevention, and perceived stigma: a cross-sectional study.
Article in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding vaccinations among LGBTQIA+ community in Italy.Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics · 2026Article
- From behavioral to structural correlates: a multi-phase analysis of global reported mpox.BMC medicine · 2026Article
- Saliva, urine, and anorectal swabs as viable alternatives to lesion swabs for molecular diagnosis of mpox.Nature communications · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundThe 2022 mpox outbreak in the United States primarily affected sexual minority men. Barrier to healthcare access, treatment, and vaccination against mpox are not well characterized. Stigma surrounding mpox has not been well quantified, and may significantly impede outbreak containment, compounding the public health challenges faced by marginalized populations.
objectiveThis study aimed to assess the epidemiology of mpox in the U.S., explore barriers to treatment and vaccination, and evaluate stigma and its impact on individuals diagnosed with or at risk for acquiring mpox.
methodsThis cross-sectional You & Me Healthy Registry sub-study used multifaceted recruitment strategies including targeted recruitment through LGBTQ+-oriented app platforms. Eligible participants, including those who previously had mpox and those self-identified as at risk, with no prior mpox, completed an online survey of demographics, healthcare access, treatment, and vaccination behaviors, and mpox-related stigma. Stigma was measured using an adapted 12-item version of the HIV Stigma Scale. Descriptive statistical analyses and Chi-square comparisons of vaccination behaviors and stigma responses between those who previously had mpox and those at risk were conducted.
resultsAmong 122 participants, 27 previously had mpox (22%). Participants were predominantly male (82%) and identified as gay (90%). The key barrier to treatment in those with confirmed mpox diagnosis was not being offered treatment (57%). Key barriers to vaccination included limited access to vaccines (30%) and stigma (14%). Stigma was pervasive, with 49% believing others would avoid them due to mpox and 43% expressing concerns about being perceived as "dirty." Overall, the highest rated stigma subscale score was for concerns about public attitudes subscale, with a median score 9 out of 12, [Q1 8, Q3 10]). Those who previously had mpox reported higher stigma levels compared to at-risk individuals, particularly within the stigma domains of disclosure concerns ("telling someone I have mpox is risky" median score of 3 [Q1 2, Q3 4] for those who previously had mpox vs. 2 [2, 2] for those at risk, with no prior mpox; p = 0.0002), and a trend towards higher stigma for the subscale evaluating concerns about public attitudes (p = 0.071).
conclusionStigma surrounding mpox exacerbates healthcare disparities and may influence preventive behaviors. Public health efforts should prioritize stigma-reduction strategies, culturally competent care, and targeted community engagement to improve outcomes in persons with mpox and similar infectious disease outbreaks.
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