Willingness to receive and recommend hypothetical mpox vaccination and associated factors in Chinese adults: a community-based survey in Shenzhen, China

• Published in: Public health (London) 2023-12, Vol.225, p.267-276
• Main Authors: Ren, Fangmei, Miao, Jianping, Liu, Junchao, Xia, Baolin, Chen, Zimei, Xu, Yucheng, Zhang, Ruiyin, Fan, Jingjie, Lin, Wei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; associated factors; China; COVID-19 Vaccines; Cross-Sectional Studies; East Asian People; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Male; mpox (monkeypox); Mpox (monkeypox) - prevention & control; Mpox (monkeypox) - psychology; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Smallpox Vaccine; Vaccination - psychology; vaccine; willingness
• ISSN: 0033-3506; 1476-5616
• DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2023.10.014

China may face new threats to public health due to the increased risk of imported mpox (monkeypox) cases. However, research gaps exist in the acceptance of mpox vaccination and potential associated factors in the Chinese population. We conducted a cross-sectional study targeting community residents in Shenzhen, China from August 5 to September 7 2022. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information about demographic and health characteristics, mpox-related perception, and attitudes towards mpox vaccination. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to detect the factors associated with willingness to receive and recommend mpox vaccination. A total of 2293 community residents were included in the analyses (average age: 34.03, female: 72.6%). Among the participants, 76.9% were aware of mpox, 62.1% were aware of the global mpox outbreak, but only 53.6% had a high knowledge level of mpox. Males had a higher proportion of high knowledge (56.9% vs. 52.3%, p＜0.05) and a lower proportion of high worry (30.2% vs. 45.4%, p＜0.05) than females. Approximately 69.1% of the participants were willing to vaccinate against mpox, and 65.9% were willing to recommend mpox vaccination to people around them, in which no gender difference was found. The obstacle reported most among people hesitant to receive vaccination was concerning the safety and side effects, whereas it changed to be concerning the suitability due to individual health differences among people hesitant to recommend mpox vaccines. Factors associated with the willingness to receive and recommend mpox vaccination included having a history of influenza vaccination, having a history of COVID-19 vaccination, being aware of the global mpox outbreak, having a high knowledge level of mpox, and having a high level of mpox-related worry. This study identified a moderate willingness to receive and recommend mpox vaccination among Chinese adults. Without gender differences, willingness to receive and recommend mpox vaccination were significantly associated with mpox-related perception, such as awareness, knowledge, and worry. Authoritative and up-to-date information is needed to help the general population improve public confidence in mpox vaccines in China.