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Mpox continues to be a growing public health challenge across Africa. As governments, international development organizations, and pharmaceutical companies work on developing and deploying vaccines and treatments, their response must be informed by real-time data that tracks the disease’s spread, public perceptions, and the effectiveness of health messaging, among other on-the-ground pointers. In situations where traditional data collection methods may face logistical challenges, such as the case of infectious diseases, mobile-based remote surveys have emerged as a key tool for gathering actionable insights.
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GeoPoll is currently conducting a study on mpox in the DRC and are ready to collaborate with pharmaceutical companies, public health authorities, and other stakeholders interested in leveraging data to inform their mpox response. Reach out to learn more about the research, or subscribe to get the report when it’s out.
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In this article, we explore how real-time data collection can inform the international community’s response to mpox, drawing lessons from past projects that have shaped health strategies across Africa.
Real-Time Disease Tracking and the Power of the Mobile Phone:
Mobile phones have revolutionized how public health crises are tracked and managed, particularly in remote areas and in the case of infectious diseases. Mobile-based research across multiple modes is fast, safe, and inclusive, given mobile penetration, and the results can be accessed in real-time via dashboards.
For instance, during the Ebola crisis in West Africa and the COVID-19 pandemic, mobile-based surveys played a vital role in tracking the spread of disease and assessing public attitudes towards interventions. Throughout 2020 and 2021, GeoPoll conducted multiple surveys in several countries to assess the impact of COVID-19 through phone-based surveys that captured essential real-time data on essential aspects such as infections, humanitarian relief access, food security, and others. Similarly, we have deployed mobile surveys in the various ebola outbreaks in the DRC, Liberia, and Sierra Leone to measure prevalence and socio-economic impact.
For mpox, similar mobile-based data collection tools can track public perceptions, identify emerging hotspots, and ensure that interventions are responsive to the evolving nature of the outbreak. However, addressing the digital divide is crucial; in some regions, limited internet connectivity may skew survey results. To combat this, GeoPoll employs a multi-modal approach, combining SMS, voice calls, and online surveys to ensure comprehensive coverage.
Vaccine Hesitancy
The WHO and the CDC have already approved some vaccines for mpox. Pharmaceutical companies continue to play a pivotal role in developing vaccines and treatments for mpox. By leveraging data, they can prioritize research and development, optimize vaccine distribution, monitor vaccine efficacy and safety, and collaborate with public health agencies to develop effective public health messaging and support disease surveillance efforts.
However, history tells us that vaccine hesitancy has been a major challenge in responding to past pandemics in Africa, and it will likely be a significant barrier to controlling the spread of mpox. Understanding the factors driving vaccine hesitancy is essential for pharmaceutical companies and public health organizations to design targeted campaigns that encourage vaccine uptake. A study published in The Lancet highlighted the complexity of vaccine hesitancy in Africa, noting that factors such as mistrust in government, concerns about vaccine safety, and religious beliefs all play significant roles.
GeoPoll’s previous work on vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed critical differences between rural and urban populations in West and East Africa. For instance, in a survey we conducted in Nigeria, insights on public sentiment towards vaccination revealed that younger populations in urban areas were more accepting of vaccines, while rural communities exhibited higher levels of distrust. These findings allowed public health organizations to create tailored messaging campaigns aimed at building trust in rural communities. Similarly, we were involved in collecting public opinion data during the Ebola crisis in Liberia and Sierra Leone, which helped identify key concerns that were preventing individuals from participating in public health initiatives. These insights were used to refine outreach strategies that successfully boosted participation in health campaigns.
In the case of mpox, understanding the underlying concerns that fuel vaccine hesitancy—whether they are rooted in misinformation, political dynamics, or cultural beliefs—can empower pharmaceutical companies to develop interventions that resonate with specific populations and drive higher vaccine acceptance.
Regional and Demographic Insights to tailor Pharma’s mpox Response
Africa’s geographical and demographic diversity necessitates a granular understanding of how mpox is impacting different regions and populations. This necessitates widespread research across the multiple countries that are either experiencing mpox or at risk. Cultural and linguistic differences may be quite diverse even in a single country. Public health interventions that fail to account for these nuances risk leaving vulnerable populations behind. Such data allows public and private sector stakeholders to prioritize resources and develop interventions customized to these populations’ needs.
During the ongoing mpox outbreak, similar insights are needed to help pharmaceutical companies and governments identify which regions are most affected, which populations are at highest risk, and how best to deploy limited resources. Mobile data collection offers a practical and efficient way to gather these insights, ensuring that interventions are data-driven and focused on those who need them most.
Public Health Messaging on Mpox and Behavioral Change
Effective public health messaging is crucial for managing the spread of diseases like mpox. Distributing vaccines is not enough; clear, targeted messaging that addresses public concerns and encourages healthy behaviors is equally important. This requires data-driven insights into how different communities perceive the disease and what motivates them to act.
One way is to leverage audience data to understand the best way to reach the various population segments. In the mpox hotspot, the DRC, GeoPoll, recently released a significant report on the media and audience landscape in the country. Such existing reports can be a quick way to plan message distribution. The other way is using mobile to test messaging concepts before launching a campaign. These insights were instrumental in adjusting the tone and content of messaging to better resonate with different population segments, thereby increasing compliance with public health directives. Ultimately, mobile surveys can be deployed to measure the impact of the messaging on public perceptions and behavioral change.
In the context of mpox, pharmaceutical companies, NGOs, and health authorities can leverage similar approaches to refine their messaging campaigns, ensuring they are both culturally relevant and effective at driving behavior change. Health organizations can increase public engagement with vaccination efforts and other preventive measures by tailoring public health messages based on real-time data.
The Bottom Line
As the mpox outbreak continues to evolve, pharmaceutical companies and public health organizations need real-time data to guide their interventions.
GeoPoll is committed to supporting pharmaceutical companies, health organizations, NGOs, and governments in their fight against mpox and future health challenges. Together, we can use data to inform targeted interventions, mitigate the impact of public health crises, and build more resilient health systems for the future. Our mobile-based surveys offer a unique and tried-and-tested way to gather insights on disease spread, public perception, and vaccine hesitancy, especially in under-resourced regions.
Contact us to learn how our research can support your efforts to control the outbreak and protect vulnerable populations.