Abstract
This prospective, nonrandomized implementation study evaluated a computerized brief intervention (CBI) for persons with HIV (PWH) and heavy/hazardous alcohol use. CBI was integrated into two HIV primary care clinics. Eligible patients were engaged in care, ≥ 18 years old, English speaking, endorsed heavy/hazardous alcohol use on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-C (AUDIT-C). Two 20-min computerized sessions using cognitive behavioral techniques were delivered by a 3-D avatar on touch screen tablets. Of 816 eligible AUDIT-C scores, 537 (66%) resulted in CBI invitation, 226 (42%) of invited patients enrolled, and 176 (78%) of enrolled patients watched at least one session. CBI enrollment was associated with a significant average reduction of 9.1 drinks/week (95% CI − 14.5, − 3.6) 4–12 months post-enrollment. Among those who participated in one or both sessions, average reduction in drinks/week was 11.7 drinks/week (95% CI − 18.8, − 4.6). There was corresponding improvement in AUDIT-C scores. Overall patients reported high levels of intervention satisfaction, particularly among older and Black patients. These promising results point to a practical intervention for alcohol reduction in this vulnerable patient population with elevated rates of heavy/hazardous drinking. Future research should examine strategies to increase initial engagement, strengthen intervention effects to increase the number of patients who achieve non-hazardous drinking, and examine the duration of therapeutic effects.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 4074-4084 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | AIDS and behavior |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2021 |
Keywords
- Binge drinking
- Brief alcohol intervention
- HIV
- HIV viral load
- Heavy alcohol use
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Psychology
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Infectious Diseases