8.17 - Contemporary Study: Pengpid et al. (2012)
Aims of the study
The primary aim was to assess whether a brief alcohol intervention could effectively reduce alcohol use among hospital outpatients identified as hazardous or harmful drinkers.
Method and participants
Participants were hospital outpatients in South Africa, selected through screening to ensure they met criteria for hazardous or harmful drinking.
Participants
- A total of 1,419 outpatients were initially screened.
- Of these, 392 (27.6%) were identified as hazardous or harmful drinkers based on their scores.
- Additionally, 51 (3.6%) had particularly high scores indicating severe issues.
- From those eligible, 282 (72%) attended the full 12-month follow-up, forming the key sample for analysis.
Procedure
- Screening: All outpatients completed the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT).
- Randomisation: Those scoring positive for hazardous or harmful drinking were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group.
- Intervention:
- Experimental group: Received one brief counselling session focused on alcohol risk reduction.
- Control group: Given a health education leaflet.
- Follow-up: Participants were invited to reassessment appointments at 6 months and 12 months.
Results of the study
The findings highlighted changes in drinking behaviour over time but revealed unexpected patterns between the groups.
Key findings
- Initial screening outcomes: Out of 1,419 screened individuals, 392 tested positive for hazardous or harmful alcohol use on the AUDIT, with 51 scoring 20 or above.
- Follow-up attendance: 282 participants (72%) completed the 12-month follow-up.
- Changes in AUDIT scores: There was a significant time effect, meaning overall alcohol use decreased to less harmful levels.
- Group comparison: No significant differences were found between the experimental group and the control group, indicating that the intervention and leaflet had similar effects.
Conclusions and evaluation
The study concluded that the lack of difference between the groups points to the potential value of simple measures like alcohol screening and providing a health education leaflet. These alone appeared to encourage participants to reduce their drinking, possibly due to increased awareness or motivation from being identified as at-risk.