Is mpox an STI? The societal aspects and healthcare implications of a key question [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

Will Nutland; Jamie Webb; Francisco Javier Membrillo de Novales; Martyn Pickersgill; Eric Umar; Steven Thrasher; Ian Muchamore; Jaime Garcia Iglesias; Michael Brady; Maurice Nagington; Liz Highleyman; Claire Dewsnap

Wellcome Open Research (Jul 2023)

Is mpox an STI? The societal aspects and healthcare implications of a key question [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

Will Nutland,
Jamie Webb,
Francisco Javier Membrillo de Novales,
Martyn Pickersgill,
Eric Umar,
Steven Thrasher,
Ian Muchamore,
Jaime Garcia Iglesias,
Michael Brady,
Maurice Nagington,
Liz Highleyman,
Claire Dewsnap

Affiliations

Will Nutland: The Love Tank CIC, London, UK
Jamie Webb: Centre for Technomoral Futures, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
Francisco Javier Membrillo de Novales: CBRN and Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital Central de la Defensa "Gomez Ulla", Madrid, Spain
Martyn Pickersgill: ORCiD; Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
Eric Umar: ORCiD; Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
Steven Thrasher: Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications, Northwestern University, Evanston, USA
Ian Muchamore: Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
Jaime Garcia Iglesias: ORCiD; Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
Michael Brady: King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
Maurice Nagington: ORCiD; School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Liz Highleyman: POZ Magazine, New York City, USA
Claire Dewsnap: Sexual Health, Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 7

Abstract

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This letter explores the societal aspects and healthcare implications that underlie thinking about mpox (formerly known was monkeypox), in the 2022 outbreak, as a sexually transmitted infection (STI). The authors examine what underlies this question, exploring what is an STI, what is sex, and what is the role of stigma in sexual health promotion. The authors argue that, in this specific outbreak, mpox is an STI among men who have sex with men (MSM). The authors highlight the need of critically thinking about how to communicate effectively, the role of homophobia and other inequalities, and the importance of the social sciences.

Published in Wellcome Open Research

ISSN: 2398-502X (Online)
Publisher: Wellcome
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine; Science
Website: https://wellcomeopenresearch.org/

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Abstract

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