@article {1163,
	title = {The social geography of AIDS and hepatitis risk: qualitative approaches for assessing local differences in sterile-syringe access among injection drug users.},
	journal = {American journal of public health},
	volume = {90},
	year = {2000},
	month = {2000 Jul},
	pages = {1049-56},
	abstract = {While significant gains have been achieved in understanding and reducing AIDS and hepatitis risks among injection drug users (IDUs), it is necessary to move beyond individual-level characteristics to gain a fuller understanding of the impact of social context on risk. In this study, 6 qualitative methods were used in combination with more traditional epidemiologic survey approaches and laboratory bioassay procedures to examine neighborhood differences in access to sterile syringes among IDUs in 3 northeastern cities. These methods consisted of (1) neighborhood-based IDU focus groups to construct social maps of local equipment acquisition and drug use sites; (2) ethnographic descriptions of target neighborhoods; (3) IDU diary keeping on drug use and injection equipment acquisition; (4) ethnographic day visits with IDUs in natural settings; (5) interviews with IDUs about syringe acquisition and collection of syringes for laboratory analysis; and (6) focused field observation and processual interviewing during drug injection. Preliminary findings from each of these methods are reported to illustrate the methods{\textquoteright} value in elucidating the impact of local and regional social factors on sterile syringe access.},
	keywords = {Anthropology, Cultural, Connecticut, Disease Outbreaks, Focus Groups, Hepatitis, Viral, Human, HIV Infections, Humans, Massachusetts, Medical Records, Needle Sharing, Residence Characteristics, Socioeconomic Factors, Substance Abuse, Intravenous},
	issn = {0090-0036},
	doi = {10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03149.x},
	author = {Singer, M and Stopka, T and Siano, C and Springer, K and Barton, G and Khoshnood, K and Gorry de Puga, A and Heimer, R}
}
