Social networks and safer/ unsafe sexual and injection drug use practices among injection drug users (IDUs) in rural and urban atlantic Canada

This qualitative research study will provide a comparative analysis of safer /unsafe practices related to HIV/HCV among injection drug users (IDUs) living in rural versus urban settings in all four Atlantic Provinces (i.e. Nova Scotia (including Cape Breton), New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland (excluding Labrador)). The focus of the research will be on IDUs relationships/social networks (e.g. family, friends, drug-using partners) and how these networks shape both health and risk practices. We will examine the networks through which IDUs access their drugs and drug paraphernalia, organize their use of injection drugs, and the types of social relations within which they practice safer or unsafe sex/drug use. We will also seek to understand the meanings IDUs give to their safer/unsafe practices since how people understand their practices, and what they see as risky (or not), influences their behavior.