Awareness of knowledge about mpox in 993 human immunodeficiency virus-infected men who have sex with men in 20 provinces in China, 2022

Objective To understand the awareness of knowledge about mpox prevention and control in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods In the collaboration with MSM acquired immune deficiency syndrome prevention community organizations in 20 provinces (municipalities, and autonomous region) in China, an electronic questionnaire was sent to HIV-infected MSM covered by routine service through internet on 1−3 July, 2022, the questionnaires were completed anonymously after informed consent and the information about general demographic characteristics, sexual behavior characteristics and the awareness of knowledge about the prevention and treatment of mpox of the MSM were collected for a statistical analysis on the awareness rate of mpox related knowledge in the MSM with different characteristics by χ² test.

Results A total of 993 HIV-infected MSM, with an average age of （33.20±8.90） years, were surveyed. In the MSM, 66.36% (659/993) had college or bachelor's degree or above; and 26.38% (262/993) were staff and employees of enterprises/institutions. Those who had homosex in the month before the survey accounted for 47.02% (467/993), those who had no consistent condom use at homosex accounted for 32.63% (324/993) and those who reported syphilis history accounted for 35.35% (351/993). The awareness rate of knowledge about mpox prevention and treatment was 46.12% in the MSM (458/993), with the highest awareness rate in students (53.85%) and the lowest in self-employed people (33.71%), the difference was significant (χ²=17.593, P=0.014). The awareness rate of mpox related knowledge increased with the increase of education level, the difference was significant (trend χ²=23.654, P＜0.0.001). The awareness rate of mpox related knowledge rate was higher in the MSM who were worried about the spread of the epidemic into China (51.81%) than in those who did not (29.03%), the difference was significant (χ²=38.854, P<0.0001).

Conclusion The HIV-infected MSM in this study had low awareness of mpox related knowledge, lacked understanding of the serious consequences due to their immunodeficiency status, and had high-risk behaviors, such as having multiple sexual partners and non-consistent condom use, posing a greater risk of mpox virus infection and transmission.