Analysis of Smartphone Text Data Related to mpox from a U.S. Sample of Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men During the 2022 Outbreak

Cory J Cascalheira; Chenglin Hong; Raiza M Beltran; Kimmo Karkkainen; Mehrab Beikzadeh; Majid Sarrafzadeh; Ian W Holloway

doi:10.1089/lgbt.2022.0307

Analysis of Smartphone Text Data Related to mpox from a U.S. Sample of Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men During the 2022 Outbreak

LGBT Health. 2023 Oct;10(7):560-565. doi: 10.1089/lgbt.2022.0307. Epub 2023 May 22.

Authors

Cory J Cascalheira¹, Chenglin Hong^{2

3}, Raiza M Beltran², Kimmo Karkkainen⁴, Mehrab Beikzadeh⁴, Majid Sarrafzadeh⁴, Ian W Holloway^{2

4}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA.
² Department of Social Welfare, Luskin School of Public Affairs, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
³ Gay Sexuality and Social Policy Initiative, Luskin School of Public Affairs, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
⁴ Department of Computer Science, Henry Samueli School of Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Abstract

Purpose: We sought to understand technology-based communication regarding mpox (monkeypox) among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) during the global outbreak in 2022. Methods: Forty-four GBMSM (M_age = 25.3 years, 68.2% cisgender, 43.2% non-White) living in the United States participated. From May 2022 to August 2022, all text data related to mpox (174 instances) were downloaded from the smartphones of GBMSM. Text data and smartphone app usage were analyzed. Results: Content analysis revealed 10 text-based themes and 7 app categories. GBMSM primarily used search and browser, texting, and gay dating apps to share vaccine updates, seek mpox vaccination, find general mpox information, share mpox information with other GBMSM, and discuss links between mpox and gay culture. Data visualizations revealed that changes in communication themes and app usage were responsive to major milestones in the mpox outbreak. Conclusion: GBMSM used apps to facilitate a community-driven mpox response.

Keywords: LGBTQ; bisexual; gay; monkeypox; mpox; social networking.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Adult
HIV Infections* / prevention & control
Homosexuality, Male
Humans
Male
Mpox (monkeypox)*
Sexual and Gender Minorities*
Smartphone
United States

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding