Exploring self‐care practices and health beliefs among men in the context of emerging infectious diseases: Lessons from the Mpox pandemic in Brazil

• Published in: Nursing inquiry Vol. 31; no. 3; pp. e12635 - n/a
• Main Authors: Silva Bulcão, Carolina, Prates, Pedro E. G., Pedrosa, Iago M. B., Santana Santos, Guilherme R., Oliveira, Layze B., Souza Joaquim, Jhonata, Almeida, Lilian C. G., Ribeiro, Caíque J. N., Santos Silva, Glauber W., Machuca‐Contreras, Felipe A., Sousa, Anderson R., Mendes, Isabel A. C., Sousa, Álvaro F. L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.07.2024
• Subjects: Brazil; Cultural factors; Dissemination; Emotional support; Empowerment; Fairness; Gays & lesbians; Health beliefs; Health care policy; Health promotion; Health risks; Infectious diseases; Information dissemination; Men who have sex with men; men's health; Mens health; Misinformation; Monkeypox; Mpox pandemic; Nurses; Pandemics; Patient-centered care; Patients; Prevention programs; Qualitative research; Research methodology; Risk reduction; Safe sexual practices; Self care; self‐care practices; Sexual behavior; Stigma; Brazil; Brazil; health beliefs; self‐care practices; Mpox pandemic; infectious diseases; men's health
• ISSN: 1320-7881; 1440-1800; 1440-1800
• DOI: 10.1111/nin.12635

Our goal was to explore self‐care practices among men who have sex with men in the context of Mpox in Brazil. This study used qualitative research methods, including interviews and thematic analysis, to collect and analyze data from male participants across the Brazilian territory. The narratives unveil men's perspectives on self‐care, risk reduction, and health beliefs during the Mpox pandemic. Our findings highlight a multifaceted approach to self‐care among men, encompassing hygiene, physical contact management, mask usage, skin lesion vigilance, and adherence to official guidelines. Men's attitudes toward sexual behaviors emphasize the importance of reducing sexual partners, practicing safe sex, and combating misinformation through accurate information dissemination. The development of these behaviors and self‐care practices can be facilitated by nurses guided by Dorothea Orem's Self‐Care Theory, supported by patient‐centered care, with strategies to address and confront the stigma associated with the disease and provide emotional support. Thus, the study underscores the pivotal role of self‐care in mitigating infection risks, especially in the context of emerging infectious diseases. It acknowledges the impact of socio‐cultural factors and healthcare policies on men's preventive measures. However, it also recognizes limitations, such as potential bias due to stigma concerns and a nonrepresentative sample. Ultimately, the research advocates for tailored education, promotion of gender equity, and healthcare empowerment to effectively manage health risks in such contexts.