Workplace alcohol harm reduction intervention in Australia: Cluster non-randomised controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Public Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Workplaces offer a unique setting for alcohol harm reduction initiatives.
• Limited research exists on effective strategies for reducing alcohol-related harm in occupational settings.
• Workplace alcohol interventions are crucial for employee well-being and productivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a comprehensive, in-situ alcohol harm reduction intervention in Australian manufacturing workplaces.
• To assess the intervention's impact on risky drinking behaviors and awareness of workplace support.
• To contribute to the evidence base for workplace alcohol prevention strategies.

Main Methods:

• A 3-year, multi-site trial involving four manufacturing worksites with over 100 employees each.
• Randomized controlled trial design with two intervention and two comparison worksites.
• Data collection included the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C) and other self-report measures at baseline, 12, and 24 months.

Main Results:

• No significant reduction in risky drinking (AUDIT-C scores) was observed in the intervention group.
• Participants in the intervention group showed significantly increased awareness of workplace alcohol policies (48.9% higher odds).
• Awareness of employee assistance programs was also significantly higher in the intervention group (79.7% greater odds).

Conclusions:

• Tailored workplace interventions can effectively enhance awareness of alcohol policies and support services.
• This study adds valuable data to the limited evidence on workplace alcohol harm prevention.
• Further research is needed to develop interventions that demonstrably reduce risky drinking in occupational settings.