Efficacy of a Single, Brief Alcohol Reduction Intervention among Men and Women Living with HIV/AIDS and Using Alcohol in Kampala, Uganda: A Randomized Trial. (May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wandera, Bonnie; Tumwesigye, Nazarius Mbona; Nankabirwa, Joaniter Immaculate; Mafigiri, David Kaawa; Parkes-Ratanshi, Rosalind M.; Kapiga, Saidi; Hahn, Judith; Sethi, Ajay K.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care. Volume 16:Number 3(2017:May/Jun.)
• Page Start: 276
• Page End: 285
• Publication Date: 2017-05
• Subjects: alcohol -- HIV/AIDS -- brief interventions -- randomized trial -- Africa; AIDS (Disease) -- Periodicals; 616.9792
• DOI: 10.1177/2325957416649669
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2325-9574

Abstract

We evaluated the efficacy of a brief motivational intervention (MI) counseling in reducing alcohol consumption among persons living with HIV/AIDS in Kampala, Uganda. Persons living with HIV/AIDS with Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Tool (AUDIT) score ≥3 points were randomized to either standardized positive prevention counseling alone or in combination with alcohol brief MI counseling. The mean change in AUDIT-C scores over 6 months was compared by treatment arm. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) AUDIT-C scores were 6.3 (2.3) and 6.8 (2.3) for control and MI arms ( P = .1) at baseline, respectively, and change in mean AUDIT-C score was not statistically different between arms over the 6 months ( P = .8). However, there was a statistically significant decrease in mean AUDIT-C score (−1.10; 95% confidence interval: −2.19 to −0.02, P = .046) among women in the MI arm. There was a nondifferential reduction in alcohol consumption overall, but MI appeared effective among women only. Studies with more than 1 counseling session and evaluation of gender differences in treatment response are needed.