Mpox Knowledge, Risk Perception, Attitudes and Willingness to Vaccinate in Colombia’s LGBTIQ+ Communities: Online Survey (CoSex)
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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 784 participants from 66 municipalities, 49.1% were aged 18–29 years, and 89.3% were male assigned at birth. A total of 73.9% identified as homosexual, while 14.9% reported never using condoms. Casual sexual partners were reported by 45.4% 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%. Suspected or confirmed mpox infection was reported by 4% of participants, with 77.4% attributing potential exposure to sexual contact. Notably, 89.5% expressed willingness to receive mpox vaccination if 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.
