Thanks for your participation in the Mesh survey.
Outbreaks, including mpox, are social as much as they are biomedical events. Immediate responses to these events can follow general public health principles — such as promoting equity and avoiding discrimination against vulnerable groups. However, research is needed to understand the specific behaviours, contexts, and needs of affected populations.
Many thanks for sharing your view through the survey. In two weeks, 418 people participated from all over the world and your views helped to shape the WHO's Interim guidance on social and behavioural research for the mpox public health response.
The World Health Organization's "Interim Guidance on Social and Behavioural Research for the Mpox Public Health Response" (March 2025) outlines standards for conducting high-quality, ethical social and behavioural research to enhance public health strategies during the ongoing mpox Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
It emphasizes the importance of both rapid studies for real-time decision-making and longer-term research to inform future outbreak preparedness and response.
The survey data was analysed and compiled in October - December 2024 by John Bok Chol and Anita Amponsa. John and Anita completed the work whilst on attachment with The Global Health Network - Mesh through the AfOx Ubuntu Transitions Program.
