Concern for mpox infection in Latin America

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Social Science

Background:

• Mpox (formerly monkeypox) has emerged as a significant public health concern in Latin America.
• Understanding population-level concern is crucial for effective public health interventions.
• Assessing factors associated with mpox concern can inform targeted communication strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the level of concern regarding mpox infection among residents in Latin America.
• To determine if geographical location (country) and other socio-demographic factors are associated with mpox-related concerns.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, multicenter study design was employed.
• Non-random snowball sampling was used to recruit 1404 participants from August to September 2022.
• A validated questionnaire assessed mpox infection concerns across nine countries, alongside social variables.

Main Results:

• The majority of respondents were female (60.3%) and young (median age 25).
• Low levels of concern were reported: 6% "almost all the time" and 11% "often" felt it was a significant problem or were concerned.
• Multivariate analysis revealed lower concern among men, younger individuals, and single individuals. Compared to Peru, lower concern was noted in Colombia and Costa Rica, while higher concern trends were observed in Bolivia and Honduras.

Conclusions:

• Significant variations in mpox concern exist across different Latin American countries.
• These findings highlight the need for country-specific public health strategies.
• The study underscores the ongoing threat of the mpox epidemic to public health in the region.