Cultural Factors in HIV Risk Among Gay/Bisexual Men in Hungary: A Rapid Assessment Study

Abstract

This article examines the sexual culture of gay men in Budapest, Hungary, based on research in 2011. HIV prevalence in Hungary is relatively low, compared with the United States, Western Europe, and parts of Eastern Europe (where injecting drug use is common, elevating the HIV rate). This preliminary, qualitative study of 21 gay and bisexual men, examines their social and sexual culture (their norms and values) in order to explain their low HIV prevalence rate. This low rate is particularly interesting because Hungarian homophobia and inconsistent condom use among gay and bisexual men are cultural factors that would appear to raise the HIV rate. Cultural and subcultural differences are important in understanding Hungarian gay male behavior, for example, the emphasis on romance and monogamy as an ideal, the importance of one's personal reputation, a perceived lack of a strong gay community, a failure to use condoms when in love, and infrequent HIV testing. The anthropological concept of romantic love plays a decisive role in sexual decision-making among same-sex couples. As Nanda indicates, “Romantic love [like marriage] also appears to be universal, but it is not the basis of marriage in most societies…. Romantic love as a basis for marriage has over time, become more widespread across cultures. This phenomenon is integrated in different societies in different ways, depending on local contexts and global connections.” Despite widespread reluctance to use condoms while “in love,” there is also an accurate knowledge of safer sex among gay men in Hungary. One possible solution to this seemingly contradictory situation, not available at the time of the study, is to promote the use of preexposure prophylaxis (or PrEP). PrEP is a daily pill shown to be even more effective than condom use. [sexual culture, HIV prevalence, AIDS risk, Hungary, gay and bisexual men]