[Survey on risk self-assessment of mpox virus infection, knowledge awareness, and vaccination intention of mpox among men who have sex with men in 30 provinces of China].

Objective: To understand self-assessment of mpox virus infection risk, knowledge awareness, and vaccination intention and related factors of mpox among men who have sex with men (MSM) in 30 provinces of China. Methods: From January 18 to 25, 2024, in collaboration with MSM social organizations across 30 provinces in China, MSM aged 18 or above were recruited. The inclusion criteria for participants were men who had had at least one homosexual behavior in the past year. A cross-sectional study design was employed, and an online survey was conducted using an enterprise version of Questionnaire Star. A self-designed, self-administered, anonymous electronic questionnaire was used to collect information on the participants' sociodemographic data, behavioral patterns, HIV testing, awareness of mpox, knowledge of mpox, self-assessment of mpox virus infection risk, and vaccination intention. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the factors associated with the awareness of mpox knowledge and vaccination intention among the participants. Results: A total of 8 123 participants were surveyed among MSM, with a mean age of mean±SD (31.94±8.91) years. The awareness rate of mpox knowledge was 46.67% (3 791/8 123), while the percentage of individuals who occasionally paid attention to mpox information was 47.93% (3 893/8 123). Additionally, 67.64% (5 494/8 123) self-assessed their risk of mpox virus infection as low, and 91.23% (7 411/8 123) expressed an intention to be vaccinated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that positive correlates of mpox knowledge awareness included being ≥26 years old, having a high school education or above, residing in urban or suburban areas, identifying as homosexual, engaging in same-sex behavior at least once/month in the past three months, having no history of sexually transmitted diseases in the past three months, being HIV-positive or HIV-negative, and paying attention to mpox information. Factors positively associated with mpox vaccination intention included being aged 18-25 years, engaging in same-sex behavior 1-4 times/month in the past three months, being HIV-positive, and paying attention to mpox information. Conclusions: MSM showed a certain level of awareness regarding mpox information and vaccination intentions in 30 provinces of China; however, the awareness rate of mpox knowledge and the self-perceived risk of mpox virus infection remained relatively low. There was a risk of mpox infection, and efforts should continue to strengthen the promotion and education related to mpox prevention and vaccination knowledge.