Sex Transm Dis. 2023 Oct 23. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001882. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: During the 2022 mpox outbreak, most cases were associated with sexual contact and many people with mpox sought care from sexual health clinics and programs. The National Network of STD Clinical Prevention Training Centers (NNPTC), in partnership with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conducted a survey of United States sexual health clinics and programs to assess knowledge, practices, and experiences around mpox to inform a future public health response.
METHODS: Between August 31-September 13, 2022, the NNPTC facilitated a web-based survey. Descriptive statistics were generated in R.
RESULTS: Among 168 responses by clinicians (n = 131, 78%) and program staff (n = 37, 22%), more than half (51%) reported at least somewhat significant mpox-related clinical disruptions including burdensome paperwork requirements for mpox testing (40%) and tecovirimat use (88%). Long clinic visits (51%) added additional burden, the median mpox-related visit lasted one hour. Few clinicians felt comfortable with advanced pain management, and clinicians felt most uninformed about pre-exposure (19%) and post-exposure (24%) prophylaxis. Of 89 respondents involved in vaccination, 61% reported using equity strategies; however, accounts of these strategies revealed a focus on guideline or risk factor-based screenings instead of equity activities.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the substantial impact of the 2022 mpox outbreak on sexual health care in the United States. Critical gaps and barriers were identified that may inform additional mpox training and technical assistance, including challenges with testing, diagnosis, and management as well as a disconnect between programs’ stated goal of equity and operationalization of strategies to achieve equity.
PMID:37889929 | DOI:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001882
