Monkeypox virus (MPXV), a close relative of Variola virus, is a zoonotic virus 
with an unknown reservoir. Interaction with infected wildlife, bites from 
peri-domestic animals, and bushmeat hunting are hypothesized routes of infection 
from wildlife to humans. Using a Risk Questionnaire, performed in 
monkeypox-affected areas of rural Democratic Republic of the Congo, we describe 
the lifestyles and demographics associated with presumptive risk factors for 
MPXV infection. We generated two indices to assess risk: Household Materials 
Index (HMI), a proxy for socioeconomic status of households and Risk Activity 
Index (RAI), which describes presumptive risk for animal-to-human transmission 
of MPXV. Based on participant self-reported activity patterns, we found that 
people in this population are more likely to visit the forest than a market to 
fulfill material needs, and that the reported occupation is limited in 
describing behavior of individuals may participate. Being bitten by rodents in 
the home was commonly reported, and this was significantly associated with a low 
HMI. The highest scoring RAI sub-groups were 'hunters' and males aged ≥ 18 
years; however, several activities involving MPXV-implicated animals were 
distributed across all sub-groups. The current analysis may be useful in 
identifying at-risk groups and help to direct education, outreach and prevention 
efforts more efficiently.