Submission ID 131962
| Issue/Objective | Mpox (formerly Monkey pox) infection resurfaced as a major global health concern in 2024/2025. In February 2025, Uganda reported 2,896 confirmed cases of Mpox, with 19 associated deaths. The outbreak disproportionately affected high-risk and mobile populations, including roadside vendors, sex workers, housewives, and fishermen. Males accounted for 58% of all reported cases distributed across 71 of 135 districts in Uganda. The Ministry of Health initiated a multi-faceted response to contain the outbreak, including enhanced surveillance, risk communication, training of health workers in Mpox case management, and vaccination of high-risk groups. Despite the above, a critical gap remained in the lack of data on Mpox survivors' and caregivers' perceptions of the disease. This study explored the perceptions of healthcare workers, Mpox survivors, and caregivers regarding the causes and presentations of Mpox during the 2024-2025 outbreak in Uganda. |
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| Methodology/Approach | A cross sectional exploratory study design was employed between September and October 2025 among healthcare workers, Mpox survivors, and caregivers in three high-burden districts of Kampala, Mayuge, and Nakasongola. Data were collected from Mpox survivors, caregivers, healthcare workers and district health officials. Data were analyzed thematically, supported by Atlas.ti software for analysis. |
| Results | Findings revealed diverse beliefs regarding Mpox transmission, including associations with animals, sexual contact with sex workers, and witchcraft. Stigma emerged as a dominant theme, with Mpox frequently linked to HIV/AIDS, resulting in fear, discrimination, delayed health-seeking, and concealment of illness. The health system response was inconsistent, with frontline workers demonstrating adaptability while significant structural gaps persisted in staffing, logistics and transport, medical supplies, and financing, which limited effective service delivery and continuity of care. Community coping and preventive practices were observed but remained largely informal and insufficiently integrated into the formal response system. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Although the health system showed some preparedness, its effectiveness was limited by resource constraints and sociocultural beliefs. Stigma, misconceptions, and systemic gaps weakened the outbreak response. Future outbreak management should focus on coordinated, community-centered approaches to strengthen resilience and ensure equity, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 3. Keywords: Mpox, perceptions; healthcare workers; survivors; caregivers; stigma; qualitative study; outbreak response; health systems; community health; Uganda. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Harriet Rachel Kagoya Uganda Red Cross Society Harriet Rachel Kagoya Uganda Red Cross Society Harriet Rachel Kagoya Uganda Red Cross Society Suudhi Bamutya Uganda Red Cross Society Ivan Mungungeyo Uganda Red Cross Society Ivan Opar Uganda Red Cross Society Ian Tuhumwire Uganda Red Cross Society Hamuza Kavuma Uganda Red Cross Society Prize Tayebwa Uganda Red Cross Society Henry Musembi the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Josephine Okwera Uganda Red Cross Society Esther Amulen Makerere University School of Public Health |
