Monkeypox self-diagnosis abilities, determinants of vaccination and self-isolation intention after diagnosis among MSM, the Netherlands, July 2022

• Published in: Euro surveillance : bulletin européen sur les maladies transmissibles Vol. 27; no. 33
• Main Authors: Wang, Haoyi, d'Abreu de Paulo, Kennedy J I, Gültzow, Thomas, Zimmermann, Hanne M L, Jonas, Kai J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sweden Centre Europeen pour la Surveillance Epidemiologique du SIDA (European Centre for the Epidemiological Monitoring of AIDS) 18.08.2022; European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
• Subjects: Gays & lesbians; Homosexuality, Male; Humans; Immunization; Intention; Male; Medical diagnosis; Medical screening; Men; Mens health; Monkeypox; Mpox (monkeypox); Netherlands - epidemiology; Quarantine; Rapid Communication; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Sexual behavior; Vaccination; Netherlands; Prevention; Isolation; Self-diagnosis; Monkeypox; MSM; Vaccination
• ISSN: 1560-7917; 1025-496X; 1560-7917
• DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2022.27.33.2200603

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease and leads to a smallpox-like disease in humans. The current epidemic in European countries requires informed responses. We investigated the ability to self-diagnose a potential infection, and determinants of vaccination and self-isolation intention after diagnosis among 394 MSM in the Netherlands. We found that about half were able to self-diagnose monkeypox, that 70% had a high intention to get vaccinated and 44% to self-isolate after monkeypox diagnosis. Determinants went beyond mere risk behaviour criteria.