The study was conducted in the three Eastern Terai districts: Morang, Sunsari and Jhapa. A cross sectional study was designed to collect both behavioral and clinical data related to HIV. In this study, injecting drug users (IDU) are defined as those who had been injecting drugs within the last three months prior to the date of the interview.

An extensive mapping exercise was carried out before fieldwork for identifying sites/locations and estimating the number of IDUs in these locations. The common locations
where IDUs gather for injection were identified with the help of NGOs working for IDUs and local key informants including local leaders, shopkeepers, tourist guides, social workers, police, priests, local restaurant owners, transport workers, local residents, medical shops, saloons, public toilet cleaners, street children, ex/current IDUs and drug dealers.

Based on this exercise, about 2200 male IDUs and 30 female IDUs were estimated from 155 sites. Out of the total estimated female IDUs, only six could be contacted. Key informants reported that female IDUs were small in number and mostly inject in isolation.

The study was conducted by New ERA and STD/AIDS Counseling and Training Centre (SACTS) in collaboration with the National Centre for STD and AIDS Control with technical assistance from Family Health International/Nepal and financial support from United States Agency for International Development.