Everybody's got it, but...: situational and strategic participation in normalized HCV discourse among injection drug users in Edmonton, Canada.

Background: The normalization thesis refers to processes whereby stigmatized individuals, groups, and activities are accommodated into everyday social life. This study explored the utility of normalization for understanding the social accommodation of HCV among street-involved injection drug users (IDUs) in a Canadian city.

Methods: In-depth semi-structured interviews (1-4 hr) were conducted with 61 drug injectors recruited through a harm reduction program and user networks in Edmonton's inner city.