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Published on: January 5, 2018
A community-based protective behavioral strategies program for hazardous alcohol use among middle-aged men in rural
Trieu Van Nhat1, Sudaporn Stithyudhakarn2, Man Ping Wang3
1Faculty of Nursing, Chulalongkorn University, 254 Rama 1 Road, Wang Mai Subdistrict, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; Faculty of Nursing, Thai Nguyen University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 284 Luong Ngoc Quyen Street, Phan Dinh Phung Ward, Thai Nguyen Province, 250000, Viet Nam.
Background:
Hazardous alcohol use (HAU) is common among men in low- and middle-income countries and contributes substantial harm. This study evaluated a culturally adapted group intervention combining protective behavioral strategies (PBS), brief intervention, and skills training to reduce alcohol use among rural Vietnamese men.
Methods:
In a two-arm randomized controlled trial in Thai Nguyen Province, Vietnam, 104 men aged 35-44 with HAU (AUDIT 8-15) were randomized to a five-session group intervention (n = 52) or usual care (n = 52). Weekly alcohol consumption and drinking frequency were measured at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months; alcohol-related problems and intention to drink were measured at baseline and 3 months. Analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle using linear mixed-effects models and generalized estimating equations with sensitivity analyses.
Results:
Follow-up at 3 months was 94.2% (98/104 participants). Weekly alcohol consumption decreased significantly more in the intervention group than in the control group (Group × Time interaction: β = -23.26, 95% CI: -38.10 to -8.50, p = .002). No significant intervention effects were observed for drinking frequency (β = -0.09, 95% CI: -0.27 to 0.10, p = .368) or alcohol-related problems (β = 1.31, 95% CI: -1.33 to 3.95, p = .327). The intervention reduced odds of higher intention-to-drink scores over time (OR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.75-0.92, p < .001). Sensitivity analyses were consistent.
Conclusion:
The culturally adapted PBS-based group intervention reduced alcohol consumption and intention to drink among middle-aged rural Vietnamese men with HAU. Trials with attention-matched controls are needed.
