Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Bakırköy, Istanbul, Turkey.
Curr HIV Res. 2024;22(2):120-127. doi: 10.2174/011570162X293673240427062123.
Mpox virus is an orthopoxvirus that causes the zoonotic infectious disease known as mpox. The disease can also spread from humans to humans. It can be transmitted through contact with bodily fluids, lesions on the skin, or internal mucosal surfaces.
The number of mpox cases increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Early diagnosis and prompt management of mpox are critical in people living with HIV (PLHIV). In this study, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among PLHIV followed at the outpatient clinic between 20 April-20 August 2023. A questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and anxiety levels of patients as well as their opinions about vaccination against mpox. The severity of symptoms in the past two weeks was assessed using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale. A total of 203 PLHIV were interviewed for this survey study.
The mean age was 39.37±11.93. The majority of them were male (86.7%), and 41.4% were men who have sex with men (MSM). Only 21 of the surveyed participants (10.4%) had a "good knowledge" score about mpox. The mean knowledge score on human Mpox was 2.05 (min:0-max:8), and 107 (52.7%) had a score of 0.
The future study should focus on continuous education, promoting awareness through programs and establishing measures to successfully overcome identified variables that contribute to mpox pandemic understanding and attitudes. Applying the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic will help the management of mpox virus.
猴痘病毒是一种正痘病毒，可引起已知的人畜共患传染病——猴痘。该疾病也可以在人与人之间传播。它可以通过接触体液、皮肤损伤或内部黏膜表面传播。
在 COVID-19 大流行期间，猴痘病例数量有所增加。在 HIV 感染者（PLHIV）中，早期诊断和及时管理猴痘至关重要。在这项研究中，于 2023 年 4 月 20 日至 8 月 20 日期间，对在门诊接受随访的 PLHIV 进行了一项横断面调查。使用问卷评估了患者的知识和焦虑水平以及他们对接种猴痘疫苗的看法。使用广泛性焦虑障碍 7 项量表评估过去两周症状的严重程度。共有 203 名 PLHIV 接受了这项调查研究。
平均年龄为 39.37±11.93 岁。他们大多数是男性（86.7%），41.4%是男男性行为者（MSM）。只有 21 名接受调查的参与者（10.4%）对猴痘有“良好的知识”评分。人类猴痘的平均知识评分是 2.05（最小值：0-最大值：8），107 名参与者（52.7%）得分为 0。
未来的研究应侧重于持续教育，通过项目提高认识，并采取措施成功克服导致对猴痘大流行理解和态度的变量。应用从 COVID-19 大流行中吸取的经验教训将有助于猴痘病毒的管理。
