Sexual Behavior of Men Who Have Sex with Men and Its Relationship to Sexually Transmitted Infections during an Outbreak of the Human Monkeypox Virus

Abstract

Background: There is a high frequency of monkeypox (MPOX) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in men who have sex with men (MSM). Aim: To identify the sexual behavior of MSM during the MPOX infection period. Methods: We conducted an observational study of cases and controls were carried out. Results: A total of 171 participants were considered, two heterosexual male controls (MSW) were included for each case of MSM with a consecutive selection of people who attended the STI prevention and control center from January to July 2022. The results revealed that the mean number of sexual partners reported in the last year was higher in cases (4.2) compared to controls 1.9 (p < 0.05). The related conditions for MSM to acquire some type of STI were sexual intercourse under the influence of alcohol (OR 2.42; 95% CI: 1.11–3.96), forgetting to use a protection method (condom) (OR 3.16; 95%: 1.73–7.48) and sexual intercourse with casual couples (OR 1.4; 95% CI: 1.01–2.16). Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated a link between the sexual behavior of men who have sex with men and the high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections during the human monkeypox virus outbreak.