Psychosocial impact and stigma on men who have sex with men due to monkeypox
BackgroundThe recent Monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak has disproportionately affected men who have sex with men (MSM), amplifying stigma and discrimination. While prior research examined media portrayals and public perceptions, little is known about MSM’s direct experiences. To address this gap, we assess...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1479680/full |
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| author | Rubén Linares-Navarro Iván Sanz-Muñoz Iván Sanz-Muñoz Iván Sanz-Muñoz Víctor Onecha-Vallejo Virginia Fernández-Espinilla Virginia Fernández-Espinilla Jose M. Eiros Jose M. Eiros Javier Castrodeza-Sanz Javier Castrodeza-Sanz Javier Castrodeza-Sanz Camino Prada-García Camino Prada-García Camino Prada-García |
| author_facet | Rubén Linares-Navarro Iván Sanz-Muñoz Iván Sanz-Muñoz Iván Sanz-Muñoz Víctor Onecha-Vallejo Virginia Fernández-Espinilla Virginia Fernández-Espinilla Jose M. Eiros Jose M. Eiros Javier Castrodeza-Sanz Javier Castrodeza-Sanz Javier Castrodeza-Sanz Camino Prada-García Camino Prada-García Camino Prada-García |
| author_sort | Rubén Linares-Navarro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundThe recent Monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak has disproportionately affected men who have sex with men (MSM), amplifying stigma and discrimination. While prior research examined media portrayals and public perceptions, little is known about MSM’s direct experiences. To address this gap, we assess discrimination, stigma, and psychosocial impact across social and healthcare settings.MethodsA cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a structured, pilot-tested survey to assess discrimination against MSM in media, family, socio-occupational, and healthcare environments.ResultsAmong 115 MSM surveyed, 81.7% observed discriminatory comments in media, while discrimination was noted in workplaces (41.7%), by family/friends (45.2%), cohabitants (15.7%), and healthcare (34.8%). Stigma significantly impacted healthcare-seeking behavior, with 33% avoiding medical care due to fear of discrimination. Psychologically, 50.4% reported low mood/anxiety, and 72.7% of those frequently fearing Mpox also experienced these symptoms. The outbreak led 71.3% to alter sexual behavior, primarily reducing encounters (60%). Fear of Mpox was strongly associated with behavioral changes (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe Mpox outbreak has exacerbated stigma toward MSM, highlighting an urgent need for intervention. Authorities, media, and community leaders must disseminate accurate information and implement psychological support programs to mitigate stigma and its detrimental effects on MSM. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-00e441c72da540c9ba335978f2ea25e9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-00e441c72da540c9ba335978f2ea25e92025-08-20T03:41:46ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-03-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.14796801479680Psychosocial impact and stigma on men who have sex with men due to monkeypoxRubén Linares-Navarro0Iván Sanz-Muñoz1Iván Sanz-Muñoz2Iván Sanz-Muñoz3Víctor Onecha-Vallejo4Virginia Fernández-Espinilla5Virginia Fernández-Espinilla6Jose M. Eiros7Jose M. Eiros8Javier Castrodeza-Sanz9Javier Castrodeza-Sanz10Javier Castrodeza-Sanz11Camino Prada-García12Camino Prada-García13Camino Prada-García14Dermatology Service, Centro Sanitario Sandoval-Hospital Clinico San Carlos, Madrid, SpainNational Influenza Centre, Edificio Rondilla, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, SpainInstituto de Estudios de Ciencias de la Salud de Castilla y León, ICSCYL, Soria, SpainCentro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFECC), Madrid, SpainDermatology Service, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León, León, SpainNational Influenza Centre, Edificio Rondilla, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, SpainPreventive Medicine and Public Health Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, SpainNational Influenza Centre, Edificio Rondilla, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, SpainMicrobiology Service, Hospital Universitario Río Hortega, Valladolid, SpainNational Influenza Centre, Edificio Rondilla, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, SpainPreventive Medicine and Public Health Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, SpainDepartment of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, SpainNational Influenza Centre, Edificio Rondilla, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, SpainDermatology Service, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León, León, SpainDepartment of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, SpainBackgroundThe recent Monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak has disproportionately affected men who have sex with men (MSM), amplifying stigma and discrimination. While prior research examined media portrayals and public perceptions, little is known about MSM’s direct experiences. To address this gap, we assess discrimination, stigma, and psychosocial impact across social and healthcare settings.MethodsA cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a structured, pilot-tested survey to assess discrimination against MSM in media, family, socio-occupational, and healthcare environments.ResultsAmong 115 MSM surveyed, 81.7% observed discriminatory comments in media, while discrimination was noted in workplaces (41.7%), by family/friends (45.2%), cohabitants (15.7%), and healthcare (34.8%). Stigma significantly impacted healthcare-seeking behavior, with 33% avoiding medical care due to fear of discrimination. Psychologically, 50.4% reported low mood/anxiety, and 72.7% of those frequently fearing Mpox also experienced these symptoms. The outbreak led 71.3% to alter sexual behavior, primarily reducing encounters (60%). Fear of Mpox was strongly associated with behavioral changes (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe Mpox outbreak has exacerbated stigma toward MSM, highlighting an urgent need for intervention. Authorities, media, and community leaders must disseminate accurate information and implement psychological support programs to mitigate stigma and its detrimental effects on MSM.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1479680/fullmpoxmonkeypoxMSMhomosexualityanxietydepression |
| spellingShingle | Rubén Linares-Navarro Iván Sanz-Muñoz Iván Sanz-Muñoz Iván Sanz-Muñoz Víctor Onecha-Vallejo Virginia Fernández-Espinilla Virginia Fernández-Espinilla Jose M. Eiros Jose M. Eiros Javier Castrodeza-Sanz Javier Castrodeza-Sanz Javier Castrodeza-Sanz Camino Prada-García Camino Prada-García Camino Prada-García Psychosocial impact and stigma on men who have sex with men due to monkeypox Frontiers in Public Health mpox monkeypox MSM homosexuality anxiety depression |
| title | Psychosocial impact and stigma on men who have sex with men due to monkeypox |
| title_full | Psychosocial impact and stigma on men who have sex with men due to monkeypox |
| title_fullStr | Psychosocial impact and stigma on men who have sex with men due to monkeypox |
| title_full_unstemmed | Psychosocial impact and stigma on men who have sex with men due to monkeypox |
| title_short | Psychosocial impact and stigma on men who have sex with men due to monkeypox |
| title_sort | psychosocial impact and stigma on men who have sex with men due to monkeypox |
| topic | mpox monkeypox MSM homosexuality anxiety depression |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1479680/full |
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