Lessons learned from the HIV pandemic to strengthen qualitative research methods for (re)emerging infections
Creators: name: Nicholls, Emily Jay
name: Prevost, Marthe Le
name: Bilardi, Davide
name: Sam-Agudu, Nadia A.
name: Chibueze Adirieje
name: Chinye Osa-Afiana
name: Amadosi, Esther Esekwe
name: Denford, Sarah
name: May, Tom
name: T. Charles Witzel
name: Shema Tariq
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2023
Subjects: HIV
mpox
pandemic preparedness

description: <strong>Issues:</strong> Over 85,000 cases have been reported globally in the 2022 mpox outbreak, mainly among men-whohave- sex-with-men; nearly half in people living with HIV, who are also more likely to develop severe infection. In Central and West Africa (where mpox has been endemic since the 1970s), there have been 1267 confirmed cases since January 2022, also affecting women and children, and with a higher case fatality rate. The HIV pandemic provides important insights into how we understand and respond to (re)emerging infections such as mpox. The response has required familiar public health approaches, especially around sexual behaviour change. Furthermore, media discourses and representations have often drawn upon stigmatising framings reminiscent of the early years of HIV. The dominant paradigm in understanding (re)emerging infections is quantitative. However, HIV has taught us that infectious diseases are biopsychosocial. Qualitative methods allow us to explore behaviour, meaning and lived experience, and can support the development of effective, acceptable interventions. <strong>Project:</strong> We present a new collaboration exploring mpox using rapid and agile qualitative research methods. We aim to (1) understand experiences of mpox infection and transmission-reducing interventions; (2) explore print and social media representations of mpox; and (3) develop capacity and establish methods for rapid qualitative research for (re)emerging infections. Our international team (Italy/Nigeria/UK) is co-led by HIV researchers in the UK and Nigeria, coordinating an international team of social scientists. Local teams meet weekly, with three-monthly remote international team meetings (rotating between Nigeria and UK hosts) to embed collaborative and equitable research partnerships. We draw upon a range of methods: (1) print media analysis; (2) social media analysis; (3) semistructured interviews with people with recently-acquired mpox; (4) remote Photovoice with people with recently-acquired mpox; and (5) focus groups with affected communities. Specifically we use a rapid qualitative research methodology, where robust team-science-based approaches are used to synthesise findings in real-time to deliver results at speed. We have designed and implemented a modular qualitative research approach. Sites select study components depending on local appropriateness and/or feasibility. We have expertise for each component within our team, with skills and knowledge exchange planned throughout the project. We are currently undertaking a review of methodological approaches to TikTok analysis, as well as analyses of print and social media in three countries. Our work will be co-produced, with community organisations sitting on our advisory group and being involved in all stages of the study. <strong>Lessons learned: </strong>We have developed a multi-sited, international team with rapid qualitative research training, and expertise in researching (re)emerging infections in people with HIV, women and children, and sexual and gender minority groups. Our work is underpinned by strong community partnerships, and informed by our existing experience and networks in HIV. This project will provide qualitative insights into mpox and will build capacity for rapid, rigorous and agile qualitative research in infectious diseases, with an innovative modular design that can be adapted for different contexts and settings. In doing so, we ensure we are ready to provide contextual, nuanced understandings of future pandemics.