Development and validation of Mpox healthcare seeking barriers scale for MSM based on a multicenter study in China

Abstract China is one of the ten countries most severely affected by the monkeypox outbreak. Over 90% of Mpox cases are MSM, primarily identified through proactive healthcare visits. Mpox medical visit worries are barriers to MSM proactively seeking medical assistance. However, there are currently n...

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Main Authors: Shangbin Liu, Ying Gao, Huifang Xu, Ying Wang, Gang Xu, Yong Cai, Jiechen Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99787-y
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author Shangbin Liu
Ying Gao
Huifang Xu
Ying Wang
Gang Xu
Yong Cai
Jiechen Zhang
author_facet Shangbin Liu
Ying Gao
Huifang Xu
Ying Wang
Gang Xu
Yong Cai
Jiechen Zhang
author_sort Shangbin Liu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract China is one of the ten countries most severely affected by the monkeypox outbreak. Over 90% of Mpox cases are MSM, primarily identified through proactive healthcare visits. Mpox medical visit worries are barriers to MSM proactively seeking medical assistance. However, there are currently no tools available to measure the barriers of MSM regarding seeking medical care for Mpox. A total of 2347 MSM were recruited for this study from six cities in China. Factor analysis was used to explore and validate the factor structure of the 14-item MMHSBS, which utilizes a 5-point Likert scale. The model’s structural validity was evaluated and compared using GFI, NFI, RFI, IFI, TLI, CFI, SRMR and RMSEA. Split-half reliability, Cronbach’s α, and McDonald’s ω were used to assess the reliability of MMHSBS. The three-factor structure model of MMHSBS performed best, comprising medical distrust, perceived costs, and interpersonal damage. The indices were as follows: GFI = 0.937, NFI = 0.926, RFI = 0.952, IFI = 0.967, TLI = 0.959, CFI = 0.967, SRMR = 0.046, RMSEA = 0.073. Split-half reliability was 0.844, Cronbach’s α was 0.949, and McDonald’s ω was 0.950. The three-factor structure of the MMHSBS demonstrated good reliability and validity among Chinese MSM. Chinese men who have sex with men face relatively strong barriers to seeking healthcare for Mpox, with the most prominent barrier being the impact on their personal social image.
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spelling doaj-art-33bb557f12f4485c98eb6d4f9abf43852025-08-20T02:15:16ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-99787-yDevelopment and validation of Mpox healthcare seeking barriers scale for MSM based on a multicenter study in ChinaShangbin Liu0Ying Gao1Huifang Xu2Ying Wang3Gang Xu4Yong Cai5Jiechen Zhang6Public Health Department, Tongren Hospital, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicinePublic Health Department, Tongren Hospital, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineSchool of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityPublic Health Department, Tongren Hospital, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineSchool of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityPublic Health Department, Tongren Hospital, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineDermatology Department, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine ShanghaiAbstract China is one of the ten countries most severely affected by the monkeypox outbreak. Over 90% of Mpox cases are MSM, primarily identified through proactive healthcare visits. Mpox medical visit worries are barriers to MSM proactively seeking medical assistance. However, there are currently no tools available to measure the barriers of MSM regarding seeking medical care for Mpox. A total of 2347 MSM were recruited for this study from six cities in China. Factor analysis was used to explore and validate the factor structure of the 14-item MMHSBS, which utilizes a 5-point Likert scale. The model’s structural validity was evaluated and compared using GFI, NFI, RFI, IFI, TLI, CFI, SRMR and RMSEA. Split-half reliability, Cronbach’s α, and McDonald’s ω were used to assess the reliability of MMHSBS. The three-factor structure model of MMHSBS performed best, comprising medical distrust, perceived costs, and interpersonal damage. The indices were as follows: GFI = 0.937, NFI = 0.926, RFI = 0.952, IFI = 0.967, TLI = 0.959, CFI = 0.967, SRMR = 0.046, RMSEA = 0.073. Split-half reliability was 0.844, Cronbach’s α was 0.949, and McDonald’s ω was 0.950. The three-factor structure of the MMHSBS demonstrated good reliability and validity among Chinese MSM. Chinese men who have sex with men face relatively strong barriers to seeking healthcare for Mpox, with the most prominent barrier being the impact on their personal social image.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99787-yMpoxMen who have sex with menHealthcare seekingReliabilityValidity
spellingShingle Shangbin Liu
Ying Gao
Huifang Xu
Ying Wang
Gang Xu
Yong Cai
Jiechen Zhang
Development and validation of Mpox healthcare seeking barriers scale for MSM based on a multicenter study in China
Scientific Reports
Mpox
Men who have sex with men
Healthcare seeking
Reliability
Validity
title Development and validation of Mpox healthcare seeking barriers scale for MSM based on a multicenter study in China
title_full Development and validation of Mpox healthcare seeking barriers scale for MSM based on a multicenter study in China
title_fullStr Development and validation of Mpox healthcare seeking barriers scale for MSM based on a multicenter study in China
title_full_unstemmed Development and validation of Mpox healthcare seeking barriers scale for MSM based on a multicenter study in China
title_short Development and validation of Mpox healthcare seeking barriers scale for MSM based on a multicenter study in China
title_sort development and validation of mpox healthcare seeking barriers scale for msm based on a multicenter study in china
topic Mpox
Men who have sex with men
Healthcare seeking
Reliability
Validity
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99787-y
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