Abstract
The proportion of injection drug users (IDUs) testing positive for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in British Columbia has increased from 3 to 7% since January 1993 (Patrick et al ., 1997). We conducted a qualitative study as a first step in a case control investigation aimed at identifying risk factors associated with HIV seroconversion. Sixteen subjects participated in in-depth interviews which were transcribed and analysed using grounded theory methods. Three dominant themes emerged: Addiction, Prevention, and Social Determinants. The results suggest that prevention efforts such as the availability of clean needles and condoms are not adequate to combat the complex social determinants of addiction-be they causal or consequential-which in turn contribute to unsafe injection practices.
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