Introduction of an Alcohol-Related Electronic Screening and Brief Intervention (eSBI) Program to Reduce Hazardous Alcohol Consumption in Namibia’s Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) Program

Bibliographic Data

ID15336422
AuthorsAlice Tang (0000-0002-3968-6391, Tufts University, corresponding author), Ndapewa Hamunime (0000-0002-8864-8148, Ministry of Health and Social Services), R Adams (0000-0001-6254-0385, Ministry of Health and Social Services), R A Adams, G Kanyinga (Ministry of Health and Social Services), Christa Fischer-Walker (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Simon Agolory (0000-0001-5023-5754, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Dimitri Prybylski (0000-0001-7507-1143, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Nicholus Mutenda (0000-0003-2613-1159, Ministry of Health and Social Services), S Sughrue (Tufts University), Denise D Walker (0000-0002-3811-5239, University of Washington), Timothy Rennie (0000-0002-4638-2126, University of Namibia), Melissa Zahralban-Steele (Tufts University), A Kerrigan (0000-0002-6186-9506, Tufts University), Steven Y Hong (0000-0002-2149-5132, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Year2019
Volume23
Issue11
Pages3078-3092
Publication date2019-08-23
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAIDS and Behavior (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1090-7165 • E-ISSN: 1573-3254
PublisherSpringer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1007/s10461-019-02648-9
PMID31444711
OpenAlexW2969292337
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited28

Alcohol is the most widely abused substance in Namibia and is associated with poor adherence and retention in care among people on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Electronic screening and brief interventions (eSBI) are effective in reducing alcohol consumption in various contexts. We used a mixed methods approach to develop, implement, and evaluate the introduction of an eSBI in two ART clinics in Namibia. Of the 787 participants, 45% reported some alcohol use in the past 12 months and 25% reported hazardous drinking levels. Hazardous drinkers were more likely to be male, separated/widowed/divorced, have a monthly household income > $1000 NAD, and report less than excellent ART adherence. Based on qualitative feedback from participants and providers, ART patients using the eSBI for the first time found it to be a positive and beneficial experience. However, we identified several programmatic considerations that could improve the experience and yield in future implementation studies

Environmental health · Hazardous waste · Health psychology · Intervention (counseling · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Public health · Qualitative research · Sociology · Engineering · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes