# Epidemiological factors related to human monkeypox virus (MPOX) in men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States

> **NIH NIH F31** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $48,974

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Specific Aims: The overarching goal of this proposed study is to assess the factors associated with
monkeypox (MPOX) vaccination, testing, and stigma amongst men who have sex with men (MSM) in the
United States (US). Specially, we aim to 1. Evaluate determinants and disparities of MPOX vaccination
amongst MSM; 2. Characterize differences in MPOX testing uptake amongst MSM with MPOX-like symptoms;
3. Develop MPOX-specific stigma measures to evaluate the impacts of MPOX-related stigma amongst MSM.
Significance: Since May 2022, MPOX has been declared a public health emergency of international concern
with over 86,700 cases of MPOX in 110 countries/territories. Due to its widespread and rapid incidence, its
threat of endemicity or re-emerging outbreaks is significant. There is a growing but scarce body of literature
related to MPOX, with many unanswered questions related to disparities and determinants of vaccination,
testing, and stigma and how this will change in the coming years. Gay men have historically faced adverse
health effects compared to other reproductive aged adults, as witnessed in the global HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Furthermore, the emergence of COVID-19 has influenced accessibility of sexual health services and public
perception of infectious diseases, which could be leveraged to inform public health responses for MPOX and
future threats.
Approach: We will leverage data from approximately 10,000 MSM in the United States between 2022-2023
who participated in the American Men’s Internet Survey (AMIS). This proposed study is a rapid response to the
MPOX Epidemic using an innovative approach to understand trends and address unsolved questions in the
public health response. These data allow for assessment of higher level, contextual effects through developing
consistent metrics, to perform exploratory factor analysis and multilevel analysis of individual heterogeneity
and discriminatory accuracy (MAIHDA).
Training Information: Mr. Carpino’s training will consist of advanced infectious disease epidemiological
methodologies and social and behavioral factors. He will also incorporate contextual and structural level factors
and incorporate large data sources to apply analysis methods of observational data.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10822586
- **Project number:** 1F31AI178878-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Thomas Carpino
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $48,974
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-06-01 → 2025-03-10

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10822586

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10822586, Epidemiological factors related to human monkeypox virus (MPOX) in men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States (1F31AI178878-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10822586. Licensed CC0.

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