Alcohol e ‐Help: Study protocol for a Web‐based self‐help program to reduce alcohol use in adults with drinking patterns considered harmful, hazardous, or suggestive of dependence in middle‐income countries

Abstract Background and aimsGiven the scarcity of alcohol prevention and alcohol use disorder treatments in many low and middle‐income countries, the World Health Organization launched an e‐health portal on alcohol and health that includes a Web‐based self‐help program. This paper presents the protocol for a multicenter randomised controlled trial (RCT) to test the efficacy of the Internet‐based self‐help intervention to reduce alcohol use. DesignTwo‐arm RCT with follow‐up 6 months after randomisation. SettingCommunity samples in middle‐income countries. ParticipantsPeople aged 18+, with AUDIT scores of 8+ indicating hazardous alcohol consumption. Intervention and comparatorOffer of an Internet‐based self‐help intervention, “Alcohol e‐Health,” compared with a ‘waiting list’ control group. The intervention, adapted from a previous program with evidence of effectiveness in a high‐income country, consists of modules to reduce or entirely stop drinking. MeasurementsThe primary outcome measure is change in the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score assessed at 6 month follow‐up. Secondary outcomes include self‐reported the numbers of standard drinks and alcohol‐free days in a typical week over the past six months, and cessation of harmful or hazardous drinking (AUDIT < 8). AnalysisData analysis will be by intention‐to‐treat, using analysis of covariance to test if program participants will experience a greater reducti...
Source: Addiction - Category: Addiction Authors: Tags: Trial Protocol Source Type: research