[Implementation of brief intervention for problematic alcohol use in primary health in the Amazon context]

to evaluate the implementation process of Screening and Brief Interventions for the Problematic Use of Alcohol (PUA) in primary health care in the city of Coari, Amazonas.

management evaluation through a process analysis study, using triangulation methods, with qualitative techniques like focus groups with health professionals and with the training/follow up team; quantitative epidemiological data and data concerning health service productivity in 2008.

the health team accepted the training course well, feeling that it valued them. Twenty-five percent of the sample scored PUA using AUDIT. Difficulties: preservation of the biomedical approach, difficulties to continue the work because of high professional rotation levels due to political reasons, difficulties to stabilize policies in places with little access.

management action is needed, as well as health policies for PUA in the PHC, including the need for fixed human resources in PHC teams.