Comment se questionnent les pratiques d’injection ? Retours méthodologiques de terrain

Abstract

How do we question injection practices ? Methodological feedback from the field. This article takes a reflective look at the collection and production of quantitative data from so-called “hidden” and hard-to-reach populations concerning intravenous drug use. It is based on observations of 152 questionnaires administered during the multidisciplinary RESEAU study. It discusses some of the difficulties encountered by the field investigator in establishing and developing a relationship of trust with the respondent, despite the obligatory mediation of professionals in order to establish contact. It also presents the difficulties of positioning the interviewer’s discourse, in tension between distance and advice. This article also exposes the existence of a gap between the technical explanation of practices and the intimate experience of users. Finally, it highlights the difficulties of managing ‘sensitive’ questions and conflicts in the survey relationship. This feedback from qualitative fieldwork within a quantitative questionnaire method highlights the complementarity of these methods and the benefits of their use.