JMIR Res Protoc. 2025 Nov 12. doi: 10.2196/77321. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Recent mpox outbreaks have underscored significant gaps in global preparedness for emerging and re-emerging infections. These outbreaks have disproportionately affected vulnerable and marginalized populations, exposing health systems weaknesses, particularly in resource-constrained settings. The global spread of mpox beyond endemic African countries in 2022 and the emergence of a new Clade Ib in 2024 emphasize the pressing need for comprehensive and context-specific public health responses. We outline the protocol for an innovative multi-method qualitative study (VERDIQual) conducted across four different countries and settings-Italy, Nigeria, Thailand, and the United Kingdom (UK).
OBJECTIVE: VERDIQual employs multiple qualitative methods to explore the lived experiences of different populations with mpox and frontline healthcare workers in endemic and non-endemic settings. With this approach, we aim to identify missed and new opportunities for effective public health messaging on prevention and treatment in this and future pandemics.
METHODS: VERDIQual’s flexible, multi-method approach integrates content analysis of news and social media, focus group discussions (FGDs), semi-structured interviews (SSIs), and participatory photography. We apply intersectionality theory to capture perspectives from a diverse range of participants, including gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, pregnant women, adolescents with mpox, and frontline healthcare workers providing mpox services. Data will be collected and analyzed using the Rapid Assessment Procedure (RAP) approach, enabling real-time data synthesis to provide timely and contextually relevant insights. We employ a standardized approach to data integration at the interpretation stage, summarizing findings in a multi-method integration matrix to visualize and synthesize data by objective, method, and site.
RESULTS: Data collection tools, including FGD and SSI topic guides, have been developed in collaboration with local Community Advisory Boards. Data collection and analysis are expected to be completed by October 2025. Teams across the four countries have begun identifying media houses and social media platforms for inclusion in the news and social media analysis. Study results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, scientific conferences, policy briefs, and stakeholder workshops and community events, with a focus on informing equitable and inclusive future public health responses to (re)-emerging infections.
CONCLUSIONS: We expect our principal findings to be applicable to a range of settings. Our use of intersectionality theory will also facilitate considerations for intersecting identities and characteristics in equity-centered pandemic responses. Ultimately, we expect VERDIQual to inform pandemic preparedness inclusive of people with stigmatized and/or vulnerable characteristics or identities.
PMID:41223310 | DOI:10.2196/77321
