Web-based screening and advice for hazardous drinkers: use of a Spanish site

A website for implementing screening and brief intervention on alcohol was launched in Barcelona, Spain, in October 2006. Its aim was to reach hazardous drinkers who probably would not ask for advice. This article describes use of the site, profiles users and discusses limitations concerning screening.

The website included screening, advice and information. Demographic and self-screening data (typical weekly consumption and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, AUDIT) were examined.

In a 12 month period, 12,138 visitors entered the website, 2574 started self-assessment, 1342 completed the table and 724 of these participants completed the AUDIT. These users had a mean age of 27.6 years, one-third of them drank above recommended weekly limits and 84.1% of those who completed the AUDIT (n = 724) scored positive (> or =5); a total of 70.3% of identified at-risk drinkers entered the advice section. Among visitors to the site, risk factors for hazardous drinking were: being male, > or =35 years of age, and drinking heavily at weekends.

The percentage of hazardous drinkers accessing the site was high, and visitors reported that they liked the design, that it was easy to use and that it provided relevant information. Most of those who had sought advice considered it to be helpful. The website seems to be an accessible and useful tool for young people and might be used in youth centres as well as in health-care settings, such as primary care and emergency centres, where it could contribute to health promotion and constitute an easier alternative to screening and brief intervention given by the staff.