Economic Burden of Mpox Infection on Households in South West Nigeria: Capturing MSM and Sex Workers Perspectives

Akanni Lawanson, University of Ibadan
Ayodele S. Jegede, Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan
Olufunke Adegoke, University of Ibadan

In the light of the widening global territorial spread of mpox virus and new evidences of human-to-human transmission occurring more among gay, bisexual, and men having sex with men (MSM), this paper assesses the economic burden of mpox on households in Nigeria with specific focus on infected MSM and sex workers (SW), more so, that little is known about the economic burden of mpox in the context of Nigeria. Cost data was collected about persons who experienced episode of mpox infection in 2022-2023, and their caregivers. Both direct and indirect costs associated with Mpox was estimated, with indirect cost being generally larger. The results revealed that MSM and SW health seeking behaviour differs due to their reluctance to present incidence for confirmation diagnosis and commencement of treatment due to stigmatization and prohibition by law of their sexual orientations. The estimated direct and indirect costs are generally higher for MSM and SW, as a result of increased severity of infection over the delay period before seeking healthcare. Such delay results in greater infection severity, which makes treatment to be more resource consuming. Policy actions are required to incentify people to present for confirmation test, irrespective of their sexual orientation.

Keywords: Health and Morbidity, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Human Capital, Education, and Work, Mixed methods research

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