Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance
Date Submitted: Nov 7, 2024
Open Peer Review Period: Nov 7, 2024 - Jan 2, 2025
Date Accepted: Jan 5, 2025
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Mpox prevention self-efficacy and associated factors among men who have sex with men in China: a large cross-sectional survey
ABSTRACT
Background:
Self-efficacy in mpox prevention plays a pivotal role in promoting preventive behaviors by fostering a sense of control and motivation, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM), the population most affected by mpox in many countries.
Objective:
This study aims to assess the mpox prevention self-efficacy among MSM in China and identify factors influencing it, using a validated Mpox Prevention Self-Efficacy Scale.
Methods:
From November 2023 to March 2024, a nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted across six geographic regions in China using a snowball sampling method. The Mpox Prevention Self-Efficacy Scale was assessed for reliability and validity. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were employed to examine factors associated with mpox prevention self-efficacy among MSM.
Results:
Among the 2,403 participants, the median mpox prevention self-efficacy score was 23.00 (IQR = 5.00). The Mpox Prevention Self-Efficacy Scale demonstrated good internal consistency (α > 0.80) and a strong model fit (χ² (N = 1,225; DF = 5) = 32.080, P < 0.0001; CFI = 0.992; RMSEA = 0.067; SRMR = 0.02). Logistic regression analysis indicated that mpox prevention self-efficacy was significantly associated with mpox-related knowledge (OR 1.107, 95% CI 1.070–1.146), perceived risk awareness (OR 1.338, 95% CI 1.132–1.583), and mpox risk perception (OR 1.154, 95% CI 1.066–1.250). Individuals over 25 years old exhibited lower self-efficacy in mpox prevention (25–34 years: OR = 0.789, 95% CI 0.642–0.970; 35–44 years: OR = 0.572, 95% CI 0.444–0.736; 45 years and older: OR = 0.569, 95% CI 0.394–0.823).
Conclusions:
These findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions aimed at enhancing self-efficacy in mpox prevention by bolstering knowledge, perceived risk awareness, and risk perception. Such initiatives are particularly crucial for middle-aged and older individuals to counteract the age-related decline in self-efficacy. Strengthening self-efficacy through these efforts is essential for fostering sustained preventive behaviors and promoting mental well-being. Ultimately, these interventions can contribute meaningfully to reducing mpox transmission and improving the overall health of the MSM community.
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Copyright
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