Mpox Knowledge, Risk Perception, Attitudes and Willingness to Vaccinate in Colombia's LGBTIQ+ Communities: Online Survey (CoSex)

BACKGROUND: In the 2022-23 global clade IIb mpox outbreak, Colombia was the sixth country with the most reported cases globally and the second in Latin America after Brazil. LGTBIQ+ communities, especially those with extensive sexual networks, were particularly affected.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to characterize the knowledge, risk perceptions, attitudes, and willingness to implement preventive measures against mpox among LGBTIQ+ communities in Colombia.

METHODS: This was an anonymized, cross-sectional, observational study based on a population-based online questionnaire using a participatory approach.

RESULTS: Among the 784 participants from 66 municipalities, 49.1% were aged 18-29 years, and 89.3% were male and assigned at birth. A total of 73.9% identified as homosexual, whereas 14.9% reported never using condoms. Casual sexual partners were reported by 45.4% of the participants in the past year (median: 3; range: 1-100), and 29.3% engaged in group sex during the same period (median: 4; range: 2-100). Temporary behavioral changes to reduce mpox risk, such as limiting sexual partners and increasing condom use, were reported by 24.1% of the participants. Suspected or confirmed mpox infection was reported by 4% of the participants, with 77.4% attributing potential exposure to sexual contact. Notably, 89.5% expressed a willingness to receive mpox vaccination if it was offered.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate the importance of academic and social communities' cross-collaboration to understand the impact of mpox infection in this population and as a basis for planning epidemic responses to future mpox outbreaks in Colombia and Latin America.